I will call the June 2nd, 2026 North
Providence Town Council meeting to
order.
Please stand for the Pledge of
Allegiance and remain standing for a
moment of silence.
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
» I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.
» Okay, item number one, acceptance of
meeting minutes.
Discussion and action and vote with
regard to the acceptance of meeting
minutes from the meeting of May 5th,
2026. So, I have a motion to approve.
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> A motion's been made by Councilman
» A motion's been made by Councilman
Baccala. Is there a second? Seconded by
Councilman LaPorte. All those in favor?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> All those opposed, the ayes have it.
» All those opposed, the ayes have it.
I'm going to skip due to a time
constraint, Woodward Road, Louisquisset
Golf,
Mike Murphy and Andrew
Pleseeka
to appear at the request of the Council
to address safety concerns related to
golf balls entering residential
properties along Woodward Road
and potential mitigation measures,
including fencing or protective netting
at the adjacent golf course. Please
state your name for the record, please.
>> Andrew Pleseeka, here on behalf of
» Andrew Pleseeka, here on behalf of
Louisquisset Country Club. Thank you.
Uh
Good evening, Councilors. Uh
I'm here on behalf of Louisquisset. We
obviously received your letter of May
7th regarding errant golf balls in the
neighborhood of Woodward Road. Um to
date, we have not received any
complaints from any adjacent property
owners regarding the golf balls, but
obviously that doesn't mean that it's
not happening. Um we have two holes
located adjacent to Woodward, uh holes
two and holes three. Uh portions of uh
Woodward Road that border the golf
course feature a chain-link fence, and
there are portions that feature a 50-ft
net. Uh
we are committed to working with the
town in order to come up with
cost-effective measures to mitigate
errant golf balls leaving the property.
Uh towards that end, we would request if
the town council can provide us with the
uh contact information for any of the
property owners who are experiencing
these issues, so that way we can kind of
narrow down where the golf balls are
problematic. Is it the tee from the
second hole? Is it the approach shot
from the third? So that way
our analysis of the golf club and
potential changes that we could make can
be a little bit more focused as to what
the actual problem is. Um accordingly,
with that information, we'd be willing
to come back here in a month. Uh we will
come up with an action plan with respect
to changes that we can make in order to
uh mitigate this outcome, and we will
report back to the town council.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
If you just have a seat, is there anyone
here from the neighborhood that would
like to speak? Just come up to the
microphone one at a time.
And uh please just state your name for
the record.
>> Sherry Melo.
» Sherry Melo.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Robert Melo.
» Robert Melo.
>> Okay. Still having issues?
» Okay. Still having issues?
>> We live at 725. Yeah, they they end up
» We live at 725. Yeah, they they end up
in the front and uh to
his comment about not getting any calls,
my wife has called and they said we
can't do anything, you go through your
home insurance.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> I spoke to um a manager. I'm not sure
» I spoke to um a manager. I'm not sure
what his name was, but I spoke to a man
when I called and asked to speak to a
manager, um probably this time last
year. And they told me that um I had to
go through my homeowner's insurance and
that they couldn't help me.
>> You spoke to someone at Lewis Quince,
» You spoke to someone at Lewis Quince,
the golf course. Okay.
And you're at 725?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you.
» Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Just state your name for the record,
please.
>> Uh Felton Messina.
» Uh Felton Messina.
>> Uh thank you.
» Uh thank you.
>> Arden Nazar.
» Arden Nazar.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> I live in uh 721 Woodward Road. Um and
» I live in uh 721 Woodward Road. Um and
the the issue with the golf balls is
just getting out of hand. Like this is
the amount of golf balls just this month
since last meeting.
Um the other day I was just mowing my
lawn and one just like almost hit me in
the head. Like it's it it's just a lot
at this point. So, that I mean that's
why we brought the issue here.
>> And you stated that you've contacted the
» And you stated that you've contacted the
>> I contacted Frank Perry uh last year
» I contacted Frank Perry uh last year
twice about this issue and he told me
that there's nothing that he can do.
That we should go through our homeowners
insurance cuz there was property damage.
And my biggest concern is damage to me
or to my niece and nephew who are four
and two who go and visit me a lot in my
property. They play outside, so
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> yeah.
» yeah.
>> Thank you for coming. That's It's a lot
» Thank you for coming. That's It's a lot
of golf balls. That shouldn't be
happening.
>> Good progress.
» Good progress.
>> Come back up.
Okay, does anybody have any questions
from the council?
Um they did state that they have
contacted people at Lewis Quince it.
They shouldn't have to deal with this.
Um
Let's see if we can get a plan of action
in place as soon as possible.
>> Oh, we'll do
» Oh, we'll do
>> If if you want, I can report back to the
» If if you want, I can report back to the
town council next month.
>> We have a meeting on um
» We have a meeting on um
No, but there's a June meeting, too,
before that. Uh I want to say Well, I'll
have the clerk contact you.
>> Yep.
» Yep.
>> And and we'll we'll put you on that
» And and we'll we'll put you on that
agenda so you can come up with a action
plan.
>> Excellent. Thank you.
» Excellent. Thank you.
>> Please leave your number with the
» Please leave your number with the
gentleman at the door.
>> Absolutely.
» Absolutely.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you all for coming.
» Thank you. Thank you all for coming.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Now, now if if if that doesn't mitigate
» Now, now if if if that doesn't mitigate
the problem, just let us know. Okay?
Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Yeah, I'm going to go back to item
» Yeah, I'm going to go back to item
number two, sale of property. Maryland
Body would like to discuss and possible
vote on two possible sales. One,
consideration of the sale of portion of
Lauri's Street to Michael Baron, 10
Otter Street.
And two, consideration of the sale of
the Charles Condominiums, 1190 Charles
Street, a portion of undeveloped road.
Mayor.
>> Mr. Chairman, members of the council.
» Mr. Chairman, members of the council.
These are two parcels of land that um I
asked both the councilman uh from that
district to uh
visit with me uh to show
uh the request for the purchase. Um and
I will tell you this that both parcels,
and hopefully uh council people would
agree, are uh
I want to say useless to the town. Uh
the one on Otter Street, I think is
important only because
that could at some point in time become
an ingress or egress to a large parcel
of land which abuts
the land behind the Geneva Mills.
So, if this par- parcel of land
is basically sold or abandoned, that
would uh cease any
uh concerns
uh for that uh
um
area to become a cut-through.
Um
I I don't know um Mr. Fiorello Mr.
Pollock.
>> Mr. President.
» Mr. President.
>> Councilman.
» Councilman.
>> Mayor, if we uh
» Mayor, if we uh
agree to sell these two parcels,
I would like to see some type of
contingency on the purchase and sales
for the one on Otter Street where they
can't build or develop
road on there.
>> Yeah, that's any of the parcels consumer
» Yeah, that's any of the parcels consumer
and that
we sold so far for the amount of money
that we're selling it is with an
agreement that there'll be no
construction.
And if if the agreement also states that
if at any point in time they change
their mind would have to come back to
the council
and um
discuss that.
Now,
I'm sorry. Go ahead, Nick.
>> Mr. President of the council, um to the
» Mr. President of the council, um to the
mayor's point both parcels are
uneconomic remnants that their sold
value is to the buyer it's really
nothing
but what
and excuse me
it's only value is to the buyer, excuse
me.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Yeah, in fact, one of them the one at
» Yeah, in fact, one of them the one at
the Charles has already been developed
parking spots.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> What what's been happening there by me
» What what's been happening there by me
to the entire council, Mr. Chairman, is
that
the Charles condominium has been
utilizing this property for parking.
There was a small portion of it that
there was a
number of trees built on.
And now one of the trees fell
and damaged
one of the owner's cars.
Now, it became a situation who's
responsible
for the tree that fell on the car
on the property that were they were
illegally parking on, basically.
So, we thought we would try to bring
this to a head. That's why I had the
council in visit and I think I spoke to
you also, Mr. President, about it. Take
a look at it. It's
not can't be used by us, the town, in
any way. So, I think to rid us of any
possibility of um how can I say law
uh
cases or suits, I think it's the right
thing to um sell the property.
>> Any questions for the mayor?
Has the price has been agreed upon?
>> Yes, so
» Yes, so
as we've done with all of the other
parcels, Mr. Chairman, members of the
council, that we purchased from National
Grid and Island Energy at the time, if
they agree to not build on the property,
it'd be $3.50 a square foot.
If they
choose to build on it, and
as of right now, we haven't entered into
one agreement
that there would be construction on any
property at this point in time. And
there will be a few more that we're
looking at right now that will be coming
to you.
>> Okay, is there any questions on this?
» Okay, is there any questions on this?
You have a motion to approve?
>> So moved. Yeah, I'm I'll uh second that
» So moved. Yeah, I'm I'll uh second that
motion.
>> Okay, a motion's been made by Councilman
» Okay, a motion's been made by Councilman
Filer, seconded by Councilman Pollock.
>> Yes, I would like to make also make sure
» Yes, I would like to make also make sure
we have a written addendum purchase and
sales and addendum that they cannot
develop or or build a road there. That's
all I ask.
>> note note the addendum for the record.
» note note the addendum for the record.
All those in favor?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> All those opposed, the ayes have it.
» All those opposed, the ayes have it.
Thank you.
Okay, item number three, zone change
amendment. Town Council to consider
approval of an application from Smith
Street Realty to amend Article 2 Section
203 use table
of the zoning ordinance
of the town of North Providence to
classify doggie daycare as permitted use
in the CP, CV,
and the CG districts only. This
application was advertised in the
Providence Journal on February 6th,
13th, and 20th, 2026 for a hearing on
this date. This item was continued from
the May meeting. Do you have a motion to
continue this to the August meeting?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion's been made by Councilman
» Motion's been made by Councilman
Baccala, is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Seconded by Councilman Filer, any
» Seconded by Councilman Filer, any
questions?
All those in favor?
All those opposed, the ayes have it.
Proposed ordinance, notice was given of
a public hearing on this date whereby
the Town Council will consider passage
of the following proposed ordinances.
Item number four, ordinance 26-002Z,
an ordinance amending the town of North
Providence's zoning ordinance article
two, section 203,
use table. This item was in connection
with the previous zone change item. It
was continued from the May meeting. Do
you have a motion to continue this to
the August meeting? Motion's been made
by Councilman LaPorte. Is there a
second? Seconded by Councilman
DiLorenzo.
All those in favor?
>> I. Thank you.
» I. Thank you.
>> All those opposed, the ayes have it.
» All those opposed, the ayes have it.
Item number five, ordinance 26-007,
an ordinance amending chapter 19,
article 10,
section 182 of the code of ordinances of
the town of North Providence entitled
"No Parking Generally", provide for
certain restrictions on May Street. Do
you have a motion to
adopt ordinance 26-
007?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion's been made by Councilman
» Motion's been made by Councilman
Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Seconded by Councilman Feola. All those
» Seconded by Councilman Feola. All those
in favor?
All those opposed, the ayes have it.
Ordinance 26-008,
an ordinance amending section 20-249
of the town of North Prov- of the town
code of ordinances concerning the
juvenile hearing board. Do you have a
motion to adopt ordinance 26-008?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion's been made by Councilman
» Motion's been made by Councilman
Baccala, seconded by Councilman
DiLorenzo. All those in favor?
>> I.
» I.
>> All those opposed, the ayes have it.
» All those opposed, the ayes have it.
Item number seven, class F1 liquor
license, Town Council to consider a vote
for the approval of a class F1 liquor
license for Behind the Bars Mixology for
an event at Camp Meen on October 4th,
2026. They are unable to appear, but
work before us all the time. Do you have
a motion to approve?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Motion's been made by Councilman
» Motion's been made by Councilman
Baccala, seconded by Councilman
All those in favor?
>> I.
» I.
>> All those opposed, the ayes have it.
» All those opposed, the ayes have it.
Item number eight, peddler vendor
license, Town Council to consider
approval
of a peddler vendor license for mobile
food truck for Ta-Haunt Foods LLC DBA
Big Dawg Eats, 23 Gibbons Ave, Warwick,
Rhode Island. Anyone here from Big Dog
Eats?
Is there anyone here from Big Dog Eats?
This is we continued from last month.
Do I have a motion to remove this from
the agenda?
>> So
» So
>> Motion has been made by Councilman
» Motion has been made by Councilman
Baccala, seconded by Councilman
Laporchio. All those in favor?
>> I.
» I.
>> All those opposed, the eyes have it.
» All those opposed, the eyes have it.
Item number nine, peddler vendor
license. Town Council to consider a vote
for the approval of a peddler vendor
license for mobile food truck for Meat
Sweats RILLC
109 Breakheart Hill
Road, West Greenwich, Rhode Island. Is
there anyone here from
Meat Sweats?
Is that the one that we continued that
one, too?
Is there anyone here from Meat Sweats?
Okay, do I have a motion to remove this
item from the agenda?
Motion has been made by Councilman
Laporchio, seconded by Councilman Di
Lorenzo. All those in favor?
>> I.
» I.
>> All those opposed, the eyes have it.
» All those opposed, the eyes have it.
Item number 10, peddler vendor license.
Town Council to consider a vote for the
approval of a peddler vendor license for
a mobile food trailer for the Lemon Bar,
1530 Atwood Avenue, Johnston, Rhode
Island. Is there anyone here from the
Lemon Bar?
Just come up to the mic and state your
name for the record, please.
» Ryan Wason, owner.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Cherise Wason.
» Cherise Wason.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Okay, you all have the information in
front of you. Is there any questions?
Okay, do I have a motion to grant?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion has been made by Councilman
» Motion has been made by Councilman
Filer, seconded by Councilman Laporchio.
Any further questions?
Hearing none, all those in favor?
All those opposed, the eyes have it.
Good luck. Thank you very much.
Item number 11, peddler vendor license.
Town Council to consider a vote for
approval of a peddler vendor license for
Keith Lambert of New England Novelty for
fireworks to be sold at 1720 Mineral
Spring Avenue.
Just state your name for the record.
>> Uh Ed McMahon.
» Uh Ed McMahon.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Okay, we They come before us every year.
We've never had any any issues.
>> I'll make a motion.
» I'll make a motion.
>> Motion's been made by Councilman
» Motion's been made by Councilman
DiLorenzo to approve, seconded by
Councilman LaPorte. All those in favor?
All those opposed? The eyes have it.
Thank you.
>> Good luck. Thank you.
» Good luck. Thank you.
I'll second.
>> I'm on the next one, too.
» I'm on the next one, too.
>> Oh, you're on the next one?
» Oh, you're on the next one?
>> Um all right. Item number 12, peddler
» Um all right. Item number 12, peddler
vendor license. Town Council to consider
the approval of a peddler vendor license
to sell fireworks for Alex
Mutabar of Keystone Novelties
Distributors LLC DBA Keystone Fireworks
10F 41 Smithfield Road and 1525 Smith
Street, two locations. Any questions on
the two locations?
Do I have a motion to approve?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion's been made by Councilman Filer.
» Motion's been made by Councilman Filer.
Is there a second?
Seconded by Councilman LaPorte. Do you
have a question?
>> Yeah, it was 41 Smithfield Road.
» Yeah, it was 41 Smithfield Road.
Is it Is it along the side of the road?
>> What is the location at 41 Smithfield
» What is the location at 41 Smithfield
Road?
>> 41 Smithfield Road.
» 41 Smithfield Road.
I was just reading it. It's It's
It's in a parking lot and it's in the
back. You know.
>> What
» What
>> They've got the road here and then you
» They've got the road here and then you
have an opening.
>> Uh-huh.
» Uh-huh.
Is that the one?
>> Yeah, but I don't know where that that
» Yeah, but I don't know where that that
actually is.
>> It's in the back of the
» It's in the back of the
>> Yeah, but the Admiral Plaza, is that the
» Yeah, but the Admiral Plaza, is that the
plaza?
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> I believe it is, yeah.
» I believe it is, yeah.
>> That's Admiral Plaza?
» That's Admiral Plaza?
>> I don't think so.
» I don't think so.
>> Is that Admiral Plaza down near Shaw's?
» Is that Admiral Plaza down near Shaw's?
>> I believe so.
» I believe so.
As far as I know.
>> Oh.
» Oh.
>> All right, we're going to hold off on
» All right, we're going to hold off on
approving that one. We'll We'll approve
it pending that you the owner of the
property approves it approves of it.
Okay?
>> Oh, we already checked with the owner.
» Oh, we already checked with the owner.
Yeah, that we don't do nothing unless we
check with the owners.
>> So, where are we looking at?
» So, where are we looking at?
>> Looking it up.
» I wouldn't think so. We would just plop
something on someone's
>> Right.
» Right.
>> No, no, I know. I just want to get you
» No, no, I know. I just want to get you
that address.
See.
>> That's on there.
» That's on there.
>> It is.
» It is.
>> Cuz cuz
Okay, so that is the plaza then, okay.
Yeah, we all set?
That's the That's the plaza which
>> So, we're uh
» So, we're uh
>> Just wanted to make sure.
» Just wanted to make sure.
>> All right, I have a motion to approve.
» All right, I have a motion to approve.
>> So moved. I'll move.
» So moved. I'll move.
>> What's that?
» What's that?
>> Maybe Providence
» Maybe Providence
I'm not familiar with 41, but it looks
like it's on the corner towards
Providence, maybe a Providence address.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> So, they need to probably check that.
» So, they need to probably check that.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
All right, all those in favor?
>> I
» I
>> All those opposed, the eyes have it.
» All those opposed, the eyes have it.
Thank you.
>> All right.
» All right.
>> Item number 13, victualing license.
» Item number 13, victualing license.
What's that?
>> We're outside.
» We're outside.
>> We're outside, yeah.
» We're outside, yeah.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
Next year.
>> Item number 13, victualing license. Town
» Item number 13, victualing license. Town
Council to consider the approval of a
victualing license for a restaurant El
Abuelo LLC, 1525 Smith Street, North
Providence, Rhode Island.
Is there anyone here from restaurant
El Abuelo? Just come up and state your
name for the record, please.
» Sasha Jerome, owner.
>> Kristina Jerome.
» Kristina Jerome.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
I see you guys are doing a lot of work
over there. Looks like it's coming
along.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Very good.
» Very good.
Are there any questions?
That's the
Okay, you all have the information in
front of you.
What are your hours of operation going
to be?
>> We'll be open from 9:00 in the morning
» We'll be open from 9:00 in the morning
to 10:00 at night.
>> Okay.
» Yes.
7 days a week.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> How many commercial tools?
» How many commercial tools?
>> Motion's been
» Motion's been
>> made by Councilman Di Lorenzo. Is there
» made by Councilman Di Lorenzo. Is there
a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Seconded by Councilman LaPointe. All
» Seconded by Councilman LaPointe. All
those in favor?
>> I find.
» I find.
>> All those opposed? The eyes have it.
» All those opposed? The eyes have it.
Good luck. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Good luck.
» Good luck.
>> Item number 14, speed bump.
» Item number 14, speed bump.
Mr. Luis Torres would like a discussion
on a possible speed bump on Lowden
Boulevard.
Just come up and state your name,
please.
>> It might be his. I don't know.
» Good evening. Luis Torres.
Thank you.
>> Uh Mr. Torres, you have the signatures?
» Uh Mr. Torres, you have the signatures?
>> Uh
» Uh
I gave them to the city clerk.
>> Yeah. Okay.
» Yeah. Okay.
All right. Is there any questions? Is
that everyone on the street?
>> Everybody. Actually, even neighbors from
» Everybody. Actually, even neighbors from
the corners of each street.
Each end of the street.
>> Okay. I'm going to make a motion to
» Okay. I'm going to make a motion to
forward this to our DPW and have this
asked that they put the speed bump in
immediately. He does have a petition
with everyone on the street. So,
that is
>> I'll second it.
» I'll second it.
>> Motion's been made by Councilman
» Motion's been made by Councilman
Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Seconded by Councilman Fielder. All
» Seconded by Councilman Fielder. All
those in favor?
All those opposed? The eyes have it.
>> Thank you very much. God bless you.
» Thank you very much. God bless you.
>> We're forwarding that. So, if it doesn't
» We're forwarding that. So, if it doesn't
get done, let us know.
>> Thank you so much.
» Thank you so much.
>> All right. Thank you.
» All right. Thank you.
>> Also,
» Also,
also, if you speak to Lieutenant Ginden
in the meantime,
I already spoke to him.
He might be able to do something to get
one of the trailers over there
temporarily until that that speed bump
is put in. So, if you speak to him,
>> That'll be great.
» That'll be great.
>> Appreciate it. Thank you so much. God
» Appreciate it. Thank you so much. God
bless you. God bless you.
>> Okay. Item number five, I mean 15,
» Okay. Item number five, I mean 15,
possible soil contamination. Maureen
Gerard would like a discussion on soil
contamination at peat properties. Mr.
Gerard, just please come up and state
your name.
» Maureen Gerard. I'm here on behalf of
the residents of the peat farm property
area. Um I have some copies if you could
So, as I stated, um I am here in behalf
of the uh residents of the Pate Farm
area of North Providence.
Uh since 2021, we've been inquiring
uh with local officials regarding the
Pate Farm property and the town's
prospects of using the uh uh Rhode
Island DEM grant given in 2020.
Uh most recent inquiries with DOH and
DEM were done this past fall into early
2026.
There was a request for soils testing
this past fall, and many have asked
about this testing to be done in 2023
and 2024, but no progress was made in
regards to testing.
Just a little history, um
most of you on the council, do you
remember the 2014 cancer concerns in
throughout the schools in North
Providence, where the testing was done?
Um anybody?
No?
>> I do.
» I do.
>> You do? Okay. So,
» You do? Okay. So,
that has
that was the basis for the concern of
when that soil ended up getting dumped
at Pate. So,
the asbestos, radon, lead, and mold
tests were done, and the results were
that these tests came back with
acceptable levels.
Please know that DOH and DEM had wanted
to continue further testing, but it
would interfere with the timeline of the
two new schools being built, which were
Stephen Olney and McGuire.
Mayor Lombardi stated in a Breeze
article that the town would not hold up
the school builds, and they would begin
as scheduled. With that being said, no
further testing was done, and many
residents was concerned about the
possible contamination of the school
demos asking that the town make sure
that this
would be taken care of.
The soil that's at the Pete property is
soil from these two builds. There were
25 to 30 truckloads dumped there.
Initially, according to the early Breeze
articles, only a partial amount of soil
was to be dumped there and the rest was
to have gone to the town dump on
Smithfield Road. Unfortunately, that did
not happen.
Several recent Breeze articles stated
Mail and Body saying that the soil was
at the Pete because at Pete property
because he didn't know what to do with
it or is put there to be used if needed
with the school builds. This was a
little confusing.
So, the residents of the Pete Farm area
had some valid reasons to be concerned
when seeing the soil being dumped there.
Many of the residents began attending
meetings expressing concerns about the
town's interest in developing the area
of the recreational fields,
soccer, football, etc.
Concerns with the area on a small bridge
about the small bridge before the
entrance to the Pete property that is
very narrow.
Mostly a one-way bridge for large um
vehicles.
Most importantly, once you cross this
bridge, it's the only way into the
neighborhood and the only way out of the
area back over the bridge. There is no
egress past the bridge. There's no signs
to notify anyone of this either.
The bridge has no signage stating weight
limit or inspections.
Concerns as to how the traffic amount of
traffic from soccer fields, soccer games
would um be accommodated in this
tight-knit area were never
answered from us.
Please note that in 2025, Dominic
Ruggerio had mentioned the possibility
of widening this bridge, which was in an
article in the Breeze, but unfortunately
nothing more became of that.
At this time, Casey Field was
deteriorating and no baseball games were
being played. And the concerns were,
"How was the town going to maintain this
new recreation area when the one they
have is not being maintained?"
Plus, they were wanting to add another
soccer field up at the quality farm off
Hemlock Street, less than a half a mile
from the peat farm.
DPW
was down to a limited number of
employees, and Mayor Lombardi did state
the breeze in the breeze that he was not
hiring at this time. That was
concerning.
The other concern that after
corresponding with some DEM officials,
the stream that runs along the farm and
along under the bridge under 146 out to
Upper Canada Pond
is under DEM, and rules changed in 2022
as to how close you can work next to the
stream.
I provided a printout of this change
from DEM, and permits are required to to
work with us. So, that's the first page
that you see in a map that shows the
stream
that
is affected over in that area.
Several of us discussed these concerns
with Stefano Formiglietti, who was our
council president at the time.
But, there was never any clear answers.
I happened to find the grant that was
awarded to the town online, and when
inquiring about the property, I was
referred to a Megan Depree.
You have a copy of a letter that she has
on the other She She writes back.
You'll see that the first 3 years this
grant was given to the town, the town
didn't do anything on the property.
This was way before
talks began about possibly downsizing
the property's plans for a recreation
area to a green space.
DEM had been out to the property to see
the area and at this time in 2024 they
saw no they found no solid waste. Again,
confirming
that this
soil that came from these two schools,
which I will
tell you further,
came came to that property clean.
There had been some
there had been some work in the stream
on the property in 2023 for a brief day
or two, but then it stopped and has not
continued since.
The tubing and piles of gravel and rock
are still on the property.
In 2025 I was told that a company from
Johnston had been hired by the town to
install the tubing. What was told stop
after a day or two
that the grant had run out. Their tubing
and gravel still sits at the property
and the grant was good to 2025.
By this time, 2024 directions had
changed for the area and we're looking
at possible green space for the area
instead of a recreational area.
But that has stalled and there's not
been any talk of this since.
This brings us to the initial concerns
of the soil testing.
When I was able to reach out to DEM and
talk to the correct person
uh about the peat property,
I spoke with a John a Mark Dennen.
Uh the very last page I provide both
Mark Dennen from DEM and uh Daniel Zebro
from
Department of Health.
Um they were extremely helpful and
providing me this information in regards
to the soil
and what they did with the schools, what
they had the the process of the asbestos
abatement.
Um
Since the two school builds were done
with asbestos abatements, this
this was the D Department of Health area
since it deals with asbestos and radon.
Lead and mold are with DEM.
Daniel Zebro saw the records and
informed me that the asbestos abatements
at these two schools were done from
beginning to end of the demos with no
errors.
Which means the soil was clean that came
from the two schools that were dumped at
the P property.
All this information, if any of you were
on the school committee bills,
on the building committees,
the information is there.
It's been available to us all this time.
It's at the school department and it's
at the town records.
And we could have just
dug for it
and seen that
because this asbestos abatement was done
with no errors,
that soil was clean to be dumped at P.
Mark Brennan also confirmed this
asbestos abatement was done correctly
and efficiently with no errors
confirming this soil transported was
clean.
When talking with Daniel from DOH, he
noted
had the town council early on had wanted
him to come and talk about the soil
concerns, he would have been happy to
come in.
He does need special approval from DOH
to do so and we need to be formally
invited by the town council.
Mark would also from DEM require the
same.
He also noted that the building
committees for the schools have the
information regarding the asbestos
abatement and that they went through
with no errors.
The school department or the town hall
has these records. He also noted to me
that the soil at the P Farm property
would need to be tested before removing
any of it.
Most likely would be purchased from
whomever tested it to be brought to the
Rhode Island Resource Recovery.
Is this policy a regulation or possibly
both since no matter where the soil was
to go, it had to be tested first before
leaving the property.
So, no matter how many times we might
have requested to have that soil tested,
it didn't matter
because
one, the soil was clean, we didn't need
to have it tested.
But,
in order for that soil to go anywhere,
it has to be tested by the town
to show that it's clean
to be put anywhere.
So, a company would come and test it,
perhaps purchase it from the town, and
they will sell it
from there.
Right now, this property is now seeing
landscapers dumping their scraps and
construction companies dumping debris.
And worse, tires are piling up towards
the back against the fence near the
Canterbury Village Apartments. I'm told
they come at night and they throw them
over the fence. And this could become a
serious issue and a real safety concern
for nearby residents with having only
one
access out of that area.
And to go right past the toxic fumes
should these tires cause a fire.
Let's Let's seriously hope this does not
occur.
I did send an email to the fire chief a
month ago and attached photos. No
response. The tires are high. There's a
lot of tires. It's not like
six tires hanging around. It's a lot.
There's no signs
stating no dumping. Please take notice.
If there were, it might help some.
I'm asking that let's start off on the
right foot by asking the residents and
getting the input and what the town is
wanting to put in the area.
Not one resident in this area was asked
about this initial grant. We all want
our youth to have access to recreational
areas. Many of us have children that
went through the North Providence school
system, played in either football,
baseball, soccer, or basketball.
All three of my children went through
the school system and participated in
the sports and my husband coached for a
time.
Please know that the grant was not lost
because of the nearby residents'
concerns.
The amount of soil that was dumped
there, the process to test and remove
it,
now was way more than I believe the town
expected.
This is more likely why the grant was
lost.
But at the same time, the infrastructure
of the area was not conducive to the
original plans. The amount of traffic
would have been concerning and possibly
concerns for emergency vehicles' access
to the back neighborhood.
I sincerely ask that the council and the
mayor, please, before doing another
grant for that property, look into what
complements and fits the area best.
And I appreciate your time
listening.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Thanks.
» Thank you. Thank you. Thanks.
Councilman?
So,
um
Maureen, thank you for coming.
Mayor Mayor, I'm not trying to put you
on the spot. I know your office sent out
an email
later this afternoon. Okay.
>> It so happened that
» It so happened that
we were in today
talk about a number of issues and
thought that the right thing would be
>> Okay. Can you hear me now?
» Okay. Can you hear me now?
>> I'm sorry.
» I'm sorry.
We were there today and talked about a
number of issues and thought that the
right thing to do, and you'll be getting
a notice tomorrow in your door,
as we notified the council that next
Wednesday night there will be a meeting.
Um we have two dumpsters that are being
shipped there tomorrow because up in the
furthest corner,
I think someone might have been living
in a a shed there.
Plus the tires.
>> There's feral cats that are
» There's feral cats that are
>> Uh we saw a couple of other things in
» Uh we saw a couple of other things in
there but by the way,
yeah, no, no. So
Mr. Chairman, maybe um we you know,
concerns that the
uh this young lady and her neighbors
have, we can address on a Wednesday
night because there is a thought of
going in there and just cleaning it up
for new grass to grow. But again,
you guys have you know, be dictating to
us as to what you'd like to see there.
So that's that could be addressed on
Wednesday evening here
um and you'll get a notice tomorrow cuz
they got printed today at 6:00.
>> Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Any other
» Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Any other
questions for Marine?
You can come.
» I don't know if you remember me, but I
was here about 7 months ago. And I
talked about in front of the Pace
property.
There has been
pieces of glass beer bottles all over
the front. Litter everywhere. I walk my
dog in front of Pace Farm. It's not a
big road. There's enough space for two
cars to go through. I'm walking my dog
and when there's two cars, I have to
move over.
Stay there.
So my dog or I don't get hit by a car.
In front of Pace Farm, there's no place
where in my neighbors I can step on
their lawn, wait for the car to go back.
I'm at the Pace Farm.
I can I'm going to break my leg. There's
all glass bottles. I was told the night
I complained about this 7 months ago,
the next day it would be addressed.
And the Department of Public Works would
be there to clean at least uh sidewalk.
All of us in the neighborhood keep in
front of our houses clear. If someone's
walking and cars are coming by, there's
a place to stand. But in front of Payson
Farm, there is no place to stand if a
car's going by. It's a liability. And I
believe someone has already gotten hurt
by a car in right around that
neighborhood.
Was hit by a car.
And it's it's going to happen again in
front of Payson Farm. I'm telling you, I
walk my dog, I walk. And there's nowhere
when the two cars are coming down. The
street's just big enough for two cars.
And right now, you can't drive by on one
side without getting hit by the bushes
that are coming on the road.
You know, the cars are getting hit by
growth that's coming out. And it's just
it's ridiculous that
as a homeowner, I couldn't let my
property look like this. But the town
owns this property. And this property
looks like a dump in front of Payson.
Never mind what's behind it.
It's just And I was promised the next
day, one of you said it, next day the
DPW would be there and clean up. So we
would have a place to step aside if we
were walking or we were walking our
dogs.
And it wasn't done. It's like seven or
eight months later. And not one leaf has
been picked up, not one bottle.
You know, in the whole neighborhood, the
ball park
You used to coach with my husband, you
know.
That ball park was nice.
>> It was.
» It was.
>> Now there's chain link fence rolled up
» Now there's chain link fence rolled up
against a dugout.
>> They left all of it.
» They left all of it.
>> Our neighborhood is just You wouldn't
» Our neighborhood is just You wouldn't
want to live there. And we we built our
house 40 years ago. We take pride in our
house.
Mr. Baccalao, he coached with my
husband. My husband we went as far we
coached for our own children, we coached
for our grandfather. I worked in the
concession stand.
I've done a lot for our neighborhood in
the youth in our neighborhood. Now, I've
been here once, I'm here twice. It's
very insulting to me to think that it
was the night that you were instated.
That was the night I spoke and I
addressed you
about it. I had asked you you had gone
over. And I all I want is someone
you know, at least I mean I know we have
a problem, but at least when you drive
by, you don't look at this big mess the
sidewalk. I mean
it wasn't like that before.
>> So, that's never been addressed?
» So, that's never been addressed?
>> No. No, you told one of one someone on
» No. No, you told one of one someone on
the council said, "Tomorrow we'll have
DPD DPW get to it."
>> yes, and I know we were under the
» yes, and I know we were under the
impression that was
addressed. So, I can apologize.
>> You could if you walk by right now, I
» You could if you walk by right now, I
mean someone just throws bottles and it
and it's not like you can just walk on
litter. This is like glass bottles.
Nowhere to step.
You know, and you wouldn't want to live
you wouldn't want to live with this.
>> Right. Now, I agree. I'm I'm
» Right. Now, I agree. I'm I'm
disappointed it hasn't been done. I
Did you have a question?
>> No, um just for the record Mr. Chairman,
» No, um just for the record Mr. Chairman,
we uh me and Councilman Pollock, we did
contact DPW more than once and still not
done. I'm kind of at the point where
I'll go down there and clean it cuz it's
been an ongoing thing like you said. Um
but I just
just for the record want to state we
have been transparent, we have been
contact contacting DPW. Um and like I
said, if it's not done this week, I'll
go down there myself.
>> Yeah, I would I would hope that at least
» Yeah, I would I would hope that at least
someone
has a question. Good. Mayor,
>> is there any chance we could get that
» is there any chance we could get that
area that go along the road
get that address their concerns?
» It does not.
Nothing has been done in front of the
vacant lot. It's a dump. It's a dump in
front of a dump. You know what I mean?
With us, when you walk when you drive in
the entrance, to the left there was a
pile of tires there. Those are gone.
But, the concern is in the cap.
So, if you went into Canterbury Village,
drove up to the fence
over it.
There's tons of tires.
» When is it? It's June 10th?
Well, I can't we just have them vote at
the polls?
Can Can Excuse me. Excuse me.
Can you guys go in the back and discuss
it cuz we got to Thank you very much.
I'll see everyone June 10th.
Thank you.
That's the the meeting for for our paved
property will be June 10th. No, no, no.
June 10th.
Is there anyone else that want to speak
from the public?
Okay, thank you. Item number 16, trash
issues. Representative from Mega
Management.
I didn't see.
Representatives from Mega Management to
appear at the request of the council to
discuss the frequent problems of trash
and yard waste pickup.
>> Uh Dave Workman, I'm the district
» Uh Dave Workman, I'm the district
manager. Uh I met with you guys a few
months ago.
And then I've got Santos
sitting here. He is the
one the the supervisor for the town of
North Providence. And
after watching last month's council
meeting, I think Santos is the guy that
you actually want to grill with some
questions. But I wanted to
wanted to give you a little disclaimer,
let you throw a couple couple arrows my
way before I put them up here.
So, watching the council meeting from
last month,
we were able to identify you know a
couple of those addresses that came up,
all those specific streets. One of the
things that we had in common on there is
they were all on the same route.
And so, while that driver is one of the
friendliest drivers you'll ever meet,
we also need him to be friendly and pick
up the trash. So, we're going to trade
trade routes.
We're bringing back one of our more
senior drivers. He's actually a trainer
for us. And he'll be back on in North
Providence starting next Wednesday. He's
going to take a vacation, get ready, and
then Wednesday he'll be back out here.
So, on the trash side of the house, some
of those streets that shouldn't be a
problem anymore.
I know that yard work was kind of a
rough start as we started out in April.
We've got a got a couple things that we
want to do differently with that.
We've got a plan for next year, which
you know, next year's still a long ways
away. But one of the things that we see
every year and kind of with every town
is there's some eager beavers out there
that get going with their yard work. And
then when April 1st starts, they're
ready.
And it's a lot of yard work to get
collected all
that they've been for the past month.
So, next March, if the town would like,
I'm happy to throw a couple 30-yarders
your way. We can stage them wherever you
like us to. And we'll haul those for
free since we can dump the yard work
under the town account. If folks want to
bring their yard work to central
location, we can talk about it as we get
closer. But it'll just kind of help us
get a jump start on yard work before
yard work season actually starts.
One of the other things that we do want
to entertain pursuing is in in the
contract there is a
eight bag limit for yard work per
address per week. That's not something
that we've been enforcing. You know, our
goal was to just pick up everything we
could that's at the curb. Uh, but in
order to kind of give everyone a fair
shot versus just the people the front
half of that route, that is something we
would like to start enforcing kind of on
a
going forward basis. Just knowing that
that's initially going to create phone
calls. Cuz when I take eight of your
nine bags, that's going to aggravate you
when I've been taking all nine for the
past 18 years.
But, um,
that's just one of the things we'd like
to give a shot shot at. So, happy to
take any questions. I'll bring
Sanfilippo up here. So, if you've got
any specific addresses, he'll give you
intelligent answers.
>> Councilman LoPresti has a question.
» Councilman LoPresti has a question.
>> Just a uh, quick question. Uh, uh,
» Just a uh, quick question. Uh, uh,
the number eight.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Is that typical for
» Is that typical for
most of the towns that you pick up?
>> It's typically, I've seen between eight
» It's typically, I've seen between eight
and 10. Um,
I don't Jim, have you seen 12? Yeah,
eight to 10 is normally the the going
rate. Um, that's that's what you have in
there. Um,
it's on pace. I mean,
>> Okay. I just wanted to know if that's a
» Okay. I just wanted to know if that's a
a number industry wide that they use for
normal pickups or
>> And and and there are some towns that
» And and and there are some towns that
have don't have a limit.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Uh, but
» Uh, but
>> some more heavily wooded areas in town.
» some more heavily wooded areas in town.
Yes. The in the Charles area doesn't
necessarily have they have a wooden
haven, so to speak.
Okay, thanks.
>> So,
» So,
going back to the yard waste and saying
see eight bags.
So, that'd be eight bags
yard waste every two weeks like with the
normal trash or is that eight bags a
month because what happens, at least
some of the complaints that we've gotten
is they'll put out some bags and it
doesn't get picked up for
two or three weeks, so people add more
bags.
>> Uh it would be 8 weeks per scheduled
» Uh it would be 8 weeks per scheduled
yard waste collection day. So, if we
fall behind, that's on us for taking
extras that next week.
But the the intent here is that we don't
fall behind and we meet the the
commitment that we made to you and we
pick it up on time.
» Any other questions?
» Is that every week you go out and
collect the stuff?
>> Yes, uh we had April 1 through December
» Yes, uh we had April 1 through December
15. Yes, it'll be every week.
Yes.
>> Sometimes they go 2 weeks without seeing
» Sometimes they go 2 weeks without seeing
anybody.
>> Sometimes we suck. Yes.
Yeah.
It it you know
>> Go ahead.
» Go ahead.
>> Uh unfortunately, you know, we're always
» Uh unfortunately, you know, we're always
going to prioritize the trash recycling
and and a lot of times yard waste is the
short end of the stick and that's why
we're, you know, looking at the
eight-bag limit allows us to get further
um and gives us a shot to to do what we
said we're going to do.
» Does anybody have any other questions?
Uh go ahead.
>> If I if I could just clarify one thing,
» If I if I could just clarify one thing,
um one of the other things I noticed
from the meeting uh last month was
uh one of my pet peeves, actually.
You guys are saying that a lot of times
you're not getting responses from my
team when you're calling and voicing a
concern.
I hate that.
Uh so, I just want to make sure that
we're everyone has the correct contact
information.
So, Santos,
he he's our supervisor for North
Providence. If you're calling any other
supervisor,
you know, I know Mike Noons, everyone
loves Mike Noons. Uh he used to be a
supervisor out here. He doesn't oversee
North Providence. So, if you're reaching
out to Mike, while he's a great guy,
he's not going to get the information
funneled in the correct direction.
Um you can go online, megadisposal.com,
you can fill out a form online, or you
can call the customer service department
at that number on the website. But, if
you're reaching out to anyone else at
Mega that
isn't one of those those venues, I don't
want to see your complaints get lost.
But, if you're calling our call center,
I talked to the girls this morning.
There's been 10 phone calls from North
Providence this week. So, there's really
not a lot of calls coming through our
call center. They said it's one of the
quieter towns.
So, put them to work. Hopefully, they're
not watching, but uh give them a call if
there's issues, and they'll make sure
that regardless of whether Santos, who's
on vacation this week, um
whoever whoever's covering that town,
they're going to get that to that right
person. I just want to make sure that
you guys are getting the answers you
need.
» I was one of those people that didn't
get called back, but thank you.
Just just help us out, please.
>> Absolutely.
» Absolutely.
>> I I know
» I I know
you know, you read the paper, this
we're getting bombarded with calls. So,
just just help us out. That's all I can
ask.
Um
Santos, if you don't mind
giving your number, if you don't have to
give it in public, to the town clerk, so
she can give it to us. And if, you know,
we do get complaints,
we'll I'll text you more.
>> Yeah, sure. I I can go out in the front.
» Yeah, sure. I I can go out in the front.
>> You can give it to the gentleman
» You can give it to the gentleman
>> All right.
» All right.
>> He'll give it to me.
» He'll give it to me.
>> Thank you. Appreciate you guys coming
» Thank you. Appreciate you guys coming
out. Hey, oh, sir, you can come up to
the microphone.
Santos, you picked a bad week to have a
vacation out of the state, huh?
» Yes, I got a complaint with them. Can I
have the guy that was talking come up
here with me?
>> Yes.
» My problem with you people
you don't know what you're doing.
First of all,
my comes down on a Friday.
Last week, it was Saturday because of
the holiday.
That worked good. They picked everything
up.
Except the
yard waste.
All right, that's one.
The week before that,
my thing was supposed to be picked up
Friday.
They didn't come Saturday. What's the
reason?
>> Yeah, and you said your trash was missed
» Yeah, and you said your trash was missed
or was it your yard work?
>> Huh?
» Huh?
>> What what was missed? Was it your trash
» What what was missed? Was it your trash
or your yard work?
>> The trash came Wednesday.
» The trash came Wednesday.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> There's no excuse for 6 days.
» There's no excuse for 6 days.
>> I'll tell you what. What What is your
» I'll tell you what. What What is your
address?
>> Mine's 9 Spicer.
» Mine's 9 Spicer.
>> 9 Spicer?
» 9 Spicer?
>> It wasn't mine. It was the whole street.
» It wasn't mine. It was the whole street.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> And the area.
» What and what your service day is
Wednesday, you said, correct?
>> Friday.
» Friday.
>> Friday.
» Friday.
>> Friday's my pick up.
» Friday's my pick up.
>> All right. Right now, this week I will
» All right. Right now, this week I will
personally make sure that you're taken
care of.
>> And my point is
» And my point is
they come
and they can only do so much and then
they don't finish up.
Are they supposed to finish the same
day?
>> The we we want them to finish the same
» The we we want them to finish the same
day. The The one constraint that they
have is
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Department of Transportation limits my
» Department of Transportation limits my
team to 60 hours of work per week. And
so sometimes they run out of time on
Fridays and we have to send a different
driver out on Saturday that has time.
>> Yeah, that's what's happening.
» Yeah, that's what's happening.
I can't understand why they can't do it.
They can do it one day, why can't they
do it the other day?
>> And that's part of what we we we address
» And that's part of what we we we address
with changing the drivers. We're putting
a more senior driver out in North
Providence starting next week. He can
get stuff done a little bit quicker.
>> Now, we had a guy that's going back a
» Now, we had a guy that's going back a
year and a half.
He didn't miss a day.
>> That might be the guy that's coming
» That might be the guy that's coming
back.
>> He was a very good guy.
» He was a very good guy.
>> So, excuse me.
» So, excuse me.
>> Now, this guy here
» Now, this guy here
will take me One day they make it, one
day they they skip it.
>> I'll tell you what. You have my number.
» I'll tell you what. You have my number.
If If they miss you, instead of like
going back and forth, now if they miss
you, call me and I will call them.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Okay?
» Okay?
>> That's it. I mean, I think I think you
» That's it. I mean, I think I think you
people should do a little bit better
than we do now.
>> We will.
» We will.
>> I have an opinion.
» I have an opinion.
>> We have your opinion. We have your
» We have your opinion. We have your
opinion.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> You're welcome.
» You're welcome.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> You're welcome.
» You're welcome.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Yes, someone else had their hand up.
» Yes, someone else had their hand up.
>> Okay, I don't
» Okay, I don't
Can you go up to the microphone?
» No, we're just saying that you go by the
compactors or
>> You have to You have to You have to come
» You have to You have to You have to come
up to
Can you come up? Wait.
We want to see you up here.
We have people watching at home, so.
Come on, you you got a good hat and
jacket. We need to see it.
» I understand that they're thinking of
putting a couple of
big 30-yd things you can People will be
able to go there and throw their trash
in there.
I don't have a truck, and I'm not going
to put eight bags or 10 bags of trash.
Please.
>> We are.
» We are.
>> Yard waste. Okay.
» Yard waste. Okay.
>> But All right, let's not
» But All right, let's not
>> put the yard waste in to bring it to
» put the yard waste in to bring it to
your 30 yard dump.
>> All right.
» All right.
>> You got to throw it in there.
» You got to throw it in there.
>> All right, but that That's the first
» All right, but that That's the first
time This is the first time we've heard
about it, so we can't
>> Yeah, but I mean, doesn't Doesn't that
» Yeah, but I mean, doesn't Doesn't that
Does that make sense?
>> No. No, we We will discuss that, but
» No. No, we We will discuss that, but
like
>> I mean, I like to buy a truck, but I
» I mean, I like to buy a truck, but I
don't have the money. Unless you guys
want to chip in or something, you know?
>> I understand.
» I understand.
>> All right, thank you. Thank you.
» All right, thank you. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Okay.
>> You
» You
Mayor Lombardi was talking about, people
going and paying somebody and dumping
stuff. Used to be a gate there. If there
was a gate there, the landscapers
couldn't get in there at night. Now the
gate's, you know, hanging off or it's
not there. Be easy to just throw the
gate up there so nobody can get in
there. But
>> Okay, at a number 18, Senator Alejo
» Okay, at a number 18, Senator Alejo
Streetscape and Revitalization Project,
Sherry LaPointe, Grants manager,
requests discussion and possible vote
regarding authorization to enter in
into an agreement with DOT regarding the
Centredale Streetscape and
revitalization project. This item was
continued from May Town Council meeting.
Unfortunately, uh
Ms. LaPoli could not make it tonight, so
I'm going to ask that this item be re-
continued to the August meeting.
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion's been made by Councilman
» Motion's been made by Councilman
Baccala. Is there a second?
Seconded by Councilman Martone. All
those in favor?
All those opposed? The eyes have it.
Item number 19, Centredale Streetscape
Initiative. Lisa Randolphia of Wood Wood
Consulting requests discussion on
information concerning Centredale
Streetscape.
» Not you yet, though.
>> No. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet.
» Just state your name for the record,
please.
>> Lisa Andolsek.
» Lisa Andolsek.
>> Thank you.
» President, President pro tems,
well-respected members of the Town
Council, it's an absolute pleasure to be
with you this evening.
As a result of a few news stories
relative to Centredale Streetscape
beautification, I received, like I'm
sure many of you did, uh a number of
phone calls inquiring about the two-way
street. So, I'm here uh this evening um
because I was able to secure the grant
for 1.7 million, and I just wanted to
share with you facts, data, and context.
I deeply respect as Town Council
members, you're the financial stewards
of the town, and I'd like to share with
you the grant application, the
architectural renderings, and the letter
from Senator Jack Reed, if I may.
» That's her name.
>> Yes. Can you put that in there?
» That's okay.
Go ahead, you can you can stop.
>> Thank you, President. Uh the handouts
» Thank you, President. Uh the handouts
include the congressional appropriation
application. Nowhere in there is there a
two-way street traffic modification.
There's a letter of support from Mayor
Charles A. Lombardi. In his letter, he's
actually requesting $2 million to
beautify uh the Silver Dale Gateway.
There's an award letter from Senator
Jack Reed for 1.7 million that
specifically notes Silver Dale
streetscape revitalization.
And the town actually invested over
$63,000
with Crossman Engineering for the
beautiful architectural renderings that
you have.
It was a shared vision of the mayor, the
town council, Crossman Engineering, and
myself to actually stimulate the the
Smith Street and make mixed use with the
small businesses that are there and the
residence to beautify it and create an
old world European gardens, topiaries,
oversized urns, herringbone sidewalks
that are accessible,
up-lighting, artwork, oversized
fountains, benches, bike racks, and
replace existing damaged missing light
poles to reflect the character of this
very unique area.
The actual architectural design was done
to slow travelers down to encourage them
to shop here,
to eat here,
to live more, to make it more livable.
Uh Crossman Engineering did all of the
engineering. I want to share with you
that
the Rhode Island Department of
Transportation
in 2023 did a traffic and safety study.
Nowhere in there does it mention making
Smith Street a two-way street.
I can understand these are the most
challenging of times and I think
everyone is doing a great job. I just
wanted to share with you. I know that a
match was an issue.
Um in 2023 the town applied for CDBG
funding. They may want to apply for that
again because they can use that as the
match for this 1.7 million. That's it. I
just wanted to share it with you. If
there's any questions, I would welcome.
>> So,
» So,
again, I appreciate you coming.
First of all, this looks
excellent.
Um thank you for putting that together.
I would love to see Centredale look like
that.
And we actually talked about it at the
last council meeting because there was
never any discussion of a two-way
street. And I think all of us got
bombarded with phone calls and it kind
of
took on a
a theme of its own.
So, um
I know there's several small business
owners on that street that are concerned
with parking.
Um
and I don't blame them because an issue
as is. So,
um I'm glad you came to explain this to
us.
And the CDBG funding could be could
count as a match to this?
>> Yes, it could be. Also, as of July 1,
» Yes, it could be. Also, as of July 1,
when Island Commerce will be putting out
um another Main Street, we can apply
there for site readiness, so I would
encourage uh Sherry to apply there for
it. We can use that as well.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Additionally, um I know we have the
» Additionally, um I know we have the
Santa Dale Festival um in the fall. Um
if we actually revive it and and we
beautify it, I think that very easily,
like the North End of Boston, how they
have the St. Anthony's Feast, that's for
4 days, Little Italy in New York, they
have San Gennaro, people are here for a
week. We have to have a vision to
stimulate and revitalize it, and I think
this is a beautiful investment that
Crocetti made with these renderings, and
I deeply appreciate your time.
>> Does anybody have any Councilman? I I
» Does anybody have any Councilman? I I
just
for my own
the CBD money we could use, so that
would alleviate us putting money into
it, correct?
>> Yes, Councilman, we wouldn't have to do
» Yes, Councilman, we wouldn't have to do
a 20% match cuz I read somewhere it was
like 420 Yeah.
>> Perfect. Thank I mean, that's uh
» Perfect. Thank I mean, that's uh
it seems like a
>> It's like the movie Danny DeVito, other
» It's like the movie Danny DeVito, other
people's money, just people paid for it.
>> use of other people's money and not
» use of other people's money and not
having to worry about ever repaying it
would be a a very nice thing for that.
Yeah.
>> Does anybody have any other questions?
All right. You're you're next on the
agenda.
Okay. Ask Ask
>> Ask him first.
» Ask him first.
>> No.
» No.
All right. But you can sit down. Yeah.
>> Hector, I
» Hector, I
>> I've never met
» I've never met
>> You can answer here what I asking you.
» You can answer here what I asking you.
>> I'm Hector Betancourt.
» I'm Hector Betancourt.
And I actually I have Nice to meet you,
too. I have a petition which I have
number of people to sign up,
and that's what I'm here for, Ness. But
I have a question for you.
You mentioned about Cedardale Festival,
which
one of the councilmen here in Ballston
is Steve DeLorenzo. Where are you
planning to relocate
the money?
>> Oh, no, no, no.
» Oh, no, no, no.
>> No, I just ask you.
» No, I just ask you.
>> Have it extended, instead of it being a
» Have it extended, instead of it being a
a couple of days, it could possibly be a
a week long if they actually implemented
the architectural renderings, because we
would be a destination like the North
End. You have thousands of people that
go there.
I think we could we I wouldn't relocate.
I would have it right It's not my plan.
>> understand there's going to be two ways
» understand there's going to be two ways
traffic in front of the city hall.
>> No.
» I'm not aware of that, no.
The application for the 1.7 million
didn't mention it.
He did a traffic study in 2023. It
doesn't mention a two-way street.
The grant didn't mention a two-way
street, sir.
>> What is the grant for? Actually.
» What is the grant for? Actually.
>> Hector, believe it or not, sometimes we
» Hector, believe it or not, sometimes we
listen to you.
You're actually We're all allowed to
agree with you tonight. I know you're
going to hate it.
>> The beautiful connection 1.7 million
» The beautiful connection 1.7 million
dollar
is for
uh actually including the two-way
street.
>> No.
» No.
>> No.
» No.
>> The money The money is not supposed to
» The money The money is not supposed to
That's just the beautiful connection.
That's one of the things I want to ask
you.
It's What does that include?
The 1.7 million
>> Hector. Hector, you want the apple?
» Hector. Hector, you want the apple?
>> I'm a speaker.
» I'm a speaker.
>> Lisa.
» Lisa.
>> I'm a speaker, sir.
» I'm giving you the application.
>> All right. So, No, what I'm what I'm
» All right. So, No, what I'm what I'm
saying. So, including what? Sidewalks?
We already have sidewalks.
Just to be up front.
We We already have sidewalks in all
Cedardale.
And they're in good, perfect condition.
So, what is the What is the rest of the
money goes for?
The 1.7 million dollar.
>> It was to make carry home sidewalks that
» It was to make carry home sidewalks that
are accessible.
>> Mhm. But, we already have sidewalks. You
» Mhm. But, we already have sidewalks. You
can tell right here in the pictures.
>> Lisa, you don't have to answer any of
» Lisa, you don't have to answer any of
the questions.
>> Thank you. It was nice seeing you.
» Thank you. It was nice seeing you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Thank you.
>> Thank you, Lisa.
» Thank you, Lisa.
>> Thank you.
» Hold on, you're next. Okay, item number
20.
Petition on Settlers Streetscape bypass.
Hector Benaco would like to present a
petition in opposition to this issue.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Well, before you rudely shut me down, I
» Well, before you rudely shut me down, I
was trying to give you the grant
application so you can see that there is
no
There is mention no mention of two-way
traffic.
>> Okay, but I understand it's for
» Okay, but I understand it's for
beautification and sidewalks.
And they also mentioned in the last
meeting in of May, they mentioned
something about uh
I believe her name is
Sherry
Lupoli.
>> Yep.
» Yep.
>> She mentioned about that she is going to
» She mentioned about that she is going to
request a
uh another
application to the federal government
for lighting.
So, that lighting is not included in
this deal that she has mentioned here.
It's just for the sidewalks, which has
nothing wrong with the sidewalks on
Settlers bypass or whatever. Because I
went in
keeping an eye on everything.
>> And you And you saw nothing wrong?
» And you And you saw nothing wrong?
>> I see lighting in the day light in the
» I see lighting in the day light in the
daytime and no in nighttime and some
part of the town.
Because And I went around couple of few
times in the day and see why is it like
that. Maybe somebody turned the timer.
Can be it. I don't know.
>> I know we had this issue today.
» Replacing the lights.
The mayor requested here last May uh
council
um to replace all the lights. Arrogant
enough to do that.
I know how many lights is missing in
Settlers bypass when you turn when you
get in the end of Minuteman Spring
Avenue, it's missing like five lights.
>> Five.
» Five.
>> And there right for the ground.
» And there right for the ground.
>> Five.
» Five.
>> But, instead of replacing that for
» But, instead of replacing that for
to because of that
the five lights that is missing in there
and one uh
crystal light and Mineral Spring when
you first coming from North Province
from uh the other side of the town
is one missing bulb and another one all
the light is missing there, too.
>> Excuse me, make a record.
» Excuse me, make a record.
>> The crystal in that.
» The crystal in that.
I don't see anything else. And then
right in uh downtown I noticed a couple
of times that I went by and I say, "Why
the lights are on in the daytime?"
And at nighttime they off.
So, I don't understand why.
But, if you need some lights, why uh why
the mayor is so arrogant that he wanted
to replace all the lights
and you agree with him.
>> Yeah, we wanted them to match.
» Yeah, we wanted them to match.
>> You You wanted them to match.
» You You wanted them to match.
>> Yeah. And by the way, there's no five.
» Yeah. And by the way, there's no five.
So, obviously
>> I'm going to tell you another thing.
» I'm going to tell you another thing.
It's why is the this town
it's so pushy to
doing something in Cerritos
when they not do anything for other
community business.
They never involved in help them with
parking space or anything.
Never.
>> Really? You got it?
» Really? You got it?
You must have missed those meetings.
>> No.
» No.
I watch it on YouTube.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> This is why when I wake up late at night
» This is why when I wake up late at night
it's like telling me, "You have to watch
the May meeting." And when I see the
request from
>> Marshalls.
» Marshalls.
>> Sherry
» Sherry
>> Marshalls.
» Marshalls.
>> it's like I'm wondering.
» it's like I'm wondering.
>> Wow.
» Wow.
>> I'm wondering. $1.7 million uh and then
» I'm wondering. $1.7 million uh and then
added that she's going to request it for
just the lighting to the federal
government, my taxes, the future of
taxpayers' money.
Why can't get a if you going pay some of
the light and missing today and days,
you can get a seller lights. Who care if
you know much?
>> It's not tax money.
» It's not tax money.
>> I not think none of the people they sign
» I not think none of the people they sign
for me the petition care about without
the lights are much.
You understand? They actually say why we
have to pay for
private business.
>> So, you think the people
» So, you think the people
So, you think the people
>> Why we have to spend the
» Why we have to spend the
>> You think the people in North Providence
» You think the people in North Providence
are mad that we're spending too much
money for the new street lights?
>> I'm speaking, sir.
» I'm speaking, sir.
>> Now, I'm speaking.
» Now, I'm speaking.
>> Why we the task payers we have to spend
» Why we the task payers we have to spend
>> 2 million 124,000
» 2 million 124,000
dollar for just a group of family Nostra
in Centralville.
>> Oh.
» Oh.
So, these people from Cumberland are
talking about how much
>> what is going to bring
» what is going to bring
>> No one's from North Providence.
» No one's from North Providence.
>> How can
» How can
How can the mayor
>> You got people on here from Cumberland,
» You got people on here from Cumberland,
Lincoln, Warwick, Johnston, Coventry.
What does that got to do with North
Providence?
>> Well, what happened is I went to number
» Well, what happened is I went to number
one, I went to shots and I get a close
shots.
What's shots supermarket?
>> Oh, sure. I thought he said shots. I
» Oh, sure. I thought he said shots. I
don't know what
>> I collect close to 10 signatures. Then
» I collect close to 10 signatures. Then
I been invited to the park
to Nardi Park.
>> Who invited you?
» Who invited you?
>> You know, to hang out there.
» You know, to hang out there.
>> Did someone invite you to hang out there
» Did someone invite you to hang out there
or did you just go?
>> And that's where I get
» And that's where I get
little bit over 100 signatures.
Just in
couple of hours, not even 2 hours.
Boom, boom. Everyone gets excited. They
see that I do something for them.
Because when I mention the amount of
money that we the task payers have to
pay to pay the 20% of the 1.7 million
dollar they found the ridiculous and
they mentioned
so many things and they told me stories
about other things
that I might get involved in those two.
So
this is the other thing I can mention.
If it is
2.
100
24 25,000 dollar
that is a lot of money just to
to have this.
Number one
I'm going to show you what they going to
do it so the public know
what they doing.
Number one if you see the giant
fire trucks
this is probably 1950 this one.
The new truck that from the parade.
Okay, I got to wait.
What is
So
that 1950 fire truck is not an active
piece of apparatus just so you know
that. That doesn't respond to call
sector.
And ladders from the fire department
coming from
18 wheelers coming from Providence
and the moment they get an emergency and
then you have cruisers coming at high
speed to try to save someone by the side
of Providence from Central Del and to
Providence
and the end of North Providence.
>> Respectfully, we are agreeing with you.
» Respectfully, we are agreeing with you.
We're not talking about
the two-way traffic. After we we're
saying we're
we haven't discussed it yet, but it's
not something that we're favoring.
Yeah, but but if you if you were
listening rather than
wanted to say what you said.
Listen, those you had said the plans
were originally for the grant that did
not have two-way traffic. No, no, you're
going to let me speak now.
Did not have two-way traffic.
Okay? So,
that plus the CBD money that we could
get would cost the taxpayers zero
not to have two-way traffic, but to
modify and beautify our area. Would you
not like it done so it is light lit
perfectly, looking beautiful, and not
cost the taxpayer dime? Would you like
that? Would you like it?
Would you like that? Can you answer a
question? Can you answer the Can you
answer the question? It's not your
money. It's a grant It's a grant grant.
It's a grant Do you know what You know
You understand what a grant is first,
right? And we're going to get additional
money put given to us so that we do not
have to subsidize 5 cents for it.
So, that means it costs the taxpayer
zero. Would you like that?
Would you like it if
Let's get out of here. Let's move on to
this. Let's Which We're moving on cuz
you're not listening, and that's that's
a shame because we're actually agreeing
with you. You don't want to listen. It's
not taxpayer money. It's grant money
that could be matched with CDBG money.
That's all federal money.
If you have a problem with that, call
the federal government. There's no
two-way street, and that's it. You're
done. Yeah. You're done.
You're done. Yes, you're done.
>> No, you're done.
» No, you're done.
>> You're done.
» You're done.
>> I have a petition here.
» I have a petition here.
>> You have petitions not even from people
» You have petitions not even from people
from North Providence. So, move on.
All right, but you have to give other
people to speak. So, go sit down,
please.
>> Should I go to the
» Should I go to the
>> Or I'll have you removed.
» Or I'll have you removed.
>> Yeah, she also has some questions.
» Yeah, she also has some questions.
>> I'm just down.
» I'm just down.
>> Yeah, I got it.
» Yeah, I got it.
>> Did you want me to read this to you?
» Did you want me to read this to you?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Can I ask my questions first or should I
» Can I ask my questions first or should I
>> You can you're welcome to
» You can you're welcome to
and asking any questions
and do you mind if I take it this?
>> That's why he came to
» That's why he came to
>> I've never been here like here. I don't
» I've never been here like here. I don't
normally do this. I met him in Shaw's,
but I am a North Providence resident.
So, I was I was like, "Okay, like I
would like to learn a little bit about
my community and go to a meeting and I
offered to read his petition and I
signed the petition.
Um
>> Can I ask one question? Was this done
» Can I ask one question? Was this done
during the parade?
>> No, Shaw's.
» No, Shaw's.
>> I was in Shaw's. I was just shopping and
» I was in Shaw's. I was just shopping and
I had plenty of time and we just started
chatting, you know? So, whatever's in
this petition is his view and you know,
whatever. But
I just didn't even know about this and I
drive a lot
and I'm very familiar with the roadways
around here. Is there are there plans to
widen that area that road?
>> There is no like anybody that lives in
» There is no like anybody that lives in
this half of the town or
owns a business in half of the town this
half of should love this idea. All that
is is to beautify the sidewalks.
>> Well, yeah, but it's also a middle class
» Well, yeah, but it's also a middle class
neighborhood, sir, and you know,
you're saying it doesn't come from the
taxpayers, but
>> No. You guys are not understanding the
» No. You guys are not understanding the
issue.
>> Taxpayers pay for all of this, whether
» Taxpayers pay for all of this, whether
it's
>> No, it is a grant. It is a grant.
» No, it is a grant. It is a grant.
>> Right, grants from our government that
» Right, grants from our government that
are
we pay for everything. I mean, get a
paycheck, you have federal taxes taken
out and you have state taxes taken out.
This money isn't coming up from nowhere,
it's coming obviously from citizens.
>> I I I understand what you're saying.
» I I I understand what you're saying.
>> I'm saying? I'm not trying to be
» I'm saying? I'm not trying to be
difficult. I'm just saying
>> it's a federal appropriation. That money
» it's a federal appropriation. That money
is going to get appropriated to
somebody. So, if you think it's a waste,
>> No, I I honestly I don't know. Honestly,
» No, I I honestly I don't know. Honestly,
I'm trying to figure it out.
>> a federal appropriation. So, the federal
» a federal appropriation. So, the federal
government is going to appropriate that
money to some state or some town.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> I'd like it to if we're going to be us.
» I'd like it to if we're going to be us.
>> I agree. If there's money to be there in
» I agree. If there's money to be there in
our community, that's great. You know,
but at the same time, you know, it's
just
how much traffic is it going to bring?
Obviously, there are going to be
changes. Are there going to be
stoplights? New stoplights?
Do you guys not know?
>> I think it's I think it's all still
» I think it's I think it's all still
preliminary. Yeah, this is like the
first step.
>> When you come down Route 44, a lot of
» When you come down Route 44, a lot of
people right now, they hop on the
highway to get to Providence. When you
come from 95 south,
you can go south and hit that traffic,
you know? When you go to Route 6, you
hit traffic there. So, our my concern is
are you going to give people cuz with
Waze and all these apps, it'll tell
people the quickest way to get
somewhere. So, is that going to bring a
massive amount of traffic to our area,
you know what I mean? And it's such a
small it's like a neighborhood, you
know, where children ride their bikes
and there's a school close by.
>> that the rendering here that we have in
» that the rendering here that we have in
front of us is changing any of the
traffic patterns at all. So, it it's
status quo. It would look like this in
in theory, the roads are going to be
one-way, just going to be beautified,
and again, with grant money to make
North Providence look a little bit more
appealing than it does right now.
With zero cost to the taxpayers, so it's
a plus.
As far as redesigning roads, that's not
on here.
>> And another thing is uh the lady was
» And another thing is uh the lady was
really nice. Her I just feel like some
of the comments she made comparisons are
just not even close. Like, you can't
compare a Boston that has 600,000,
700,000 people, you know, South Boston
or North Boston, whatever it was, to
little center. It's just not an equal
comparison even to bring like, "Oh,
we're going to be the new little Italy."
>> the festival.
» the festival.
>> Have you been Have you attended the
» Have you been Have you attended the
festival?
>> She's saying like hopefully we'll get
» She's saying like hopefully we'll get
that many people. We're not going to get
>> Have you attended the
» Have you attended the
>> Guys, guys, guys, guys.
» Guys, guys, guys, guys.
>> saying we're not going to get That's a
» saying we're not going to get That's a
600 That's a much larger city. I'm just
saying it wasn't a really fair
comparison. That's all.
>> Very good. Thank you.
» Very good. Thank you.
>> All right.
» All right.
>> Sir,
» Sir,
>> Oh, yeah, and I do I do have to read
» Oh, yeah, and I do I do have to read
this for him.
I'm just going to read it for him. Like
I said, it's not my view. I don't know.
It's just a petition.
>> Sir, did you have a question?
» Sir, did you have a question?
Did you want Did you
What's that?
>> Can I read the petition?
» Can I read the petition?
>> You don't have to read the petition.
» You don't have to read the petition.
Okay. You don't have to read it. We all
have it. Thank you.
Straight up. We have it.
>> Can I please read it?
» Can I please read it?
>> We have it.
» We have it.
>> So, well, but the community wants
» So, well, but the community wants
>> It's my decision.
» It's my decision.
It's my decision. It's my decision, and
I am saying no.
Thank you.
It's my decision and I'm saying no.
>> So, I'm not allowed to read something?
» So, I'm not allowed to read something?
>> No. We have it.
» No. We have it.
>> Is there a way for the people of North
» Is there a way for the people of North
Providence to see it?
>> Everybody can It's It's on the agenda.
» Everybody can It's It's on the agenda.
>> your agenda, and how would people get to
» your agenda, and how would people get to
see your agenda?
How would they access it?
Like, how would the people the citizens
I don't know why that's a hard question.
How would the citizens
>> Becomes part of the record. Yeah.
» Becomes part of the record. Yeah.
>> But how would the people like access
» But how would the people like access
that
on your town website?
Is it on the
>> Meetings are all online. Yes.
» Meetings are all online. Yes.
>> It's on the website. Okay. It's on the
» It's on the website. Okay. It's on the
North Providence
town website. Thank you.
» I'm all for
» We have it.
No, Dino. I'm Dino. I'm Dino.
Yeah, I know.
And I'm saying no again.
Cuz you make no sense.
And we're trying to conduct business.
Sir, did you have a question?
Okay.
Do Do we know them? You got it.
All right. Good.
Okay. Let me know how it works out.
>> Hayden Kendall might be making a
» Hayden Kendall might be making a
mistake. I just wanted to say I do very
strongly support this project as a
resident. I live down the road, Rosemont
Terrace, so
Thank you for everybody who put the work
in for this, and that's all I want to
say.
>> Thank you for the policy approval. That
» Thank you for the policy approval. That
was a That was a tough act to follow.
How dare we compare ourselves to Boston
and try to be better? God forbid.
Considering they don't know each other.
Okay. Anyone else?
Thank you.
Item number 21, One of One Lounge.
Please Chief Forgerio, Councilman
Laporte here would like discussion and
possible vote on One of One Lounge, 1759
Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence.
Would you please come up and state your
name for the record?
» Good evening, Council. Um my name is
Lance Cherry
Partners.
>> What's Arlene?
» What's Arlene?
>> Good evening. Um I'm Mike.
» Good evening. Um I'm Mike.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
Guys, I'm going to start off um
I spoke with the councilman that
represent the district. I spoke with the
police chief.
Um I'm going to be honest with you. I'm
very
I thought the meeting last meeting went
well.
I thought we got started off on the
right foot.
Um
it would be in our best interest not
even to allow any entertainment over
there anymore cuz we've had so many
problems in the past. And we went over
all those problems. We told you guys
what the problems were.
We told you guys about the past five
businesses and we told you we were not
going to hold what happened in the past
against you guys. You know that, right?
So, to open last week
without any licenses
yeah, we've been contacted by every
single neighbor in that neighborhood.
We've been sent videos. We have multiple
police reports. It is disappointing cuz
I really thought we got off
on the right foot. So
I mean
think about the position we're in now.
>> So, pretty much we got fed the wrong
» So, pretty much we got fed the wrong
information. Um, when we had um, fire
marshal come out and um, board of health
and pretty much from the last ownership,
the pretty much what they told us was um
all we needed was um, the fire marshal
with an insurance.
>> We told you. We did in our office. We
» We told you. We did in our office. We
told you numerous times what you needed,
how you had to do it, what you had to
upload and until you opened when you
weren't supposed to after that you were
backpedaling and putting them on like
all the There was like 10 things you
needed when you opened last week. And we
tell you. We need to call you. We we
write into the system and tell you what
you need. I'm not sure if you're not
reading it or what, but we've been
telling you right along. Like my clerk
said.
>> Um
» Um
>> I can't say that we haven't. We have.
» Yeah, at the time we've been
communicating with you um, we was not
operating. That's when we had the news
from our attorney that, you know, we
wasn't supposed to be open and we
>> But for a week before that. No, not a
» But for a week before that. No, not a
week. It was that weekend before and
then once
Yeah.
But the moment we had we had the news,
we immediately shut down within we
didn't operate any business after that.
So until then we still
our doors are still closed.
>> Told you before that you weren't
» Told you before that you weren't
supposed to open.
>> Um
» Um
>> In all of our communications in the
» In all of our communications in the
portal for the license, we go back and
forth. You receive an email every time
you have a message in the portal. So
unless you're not checking your email,
we have been keeping up with everything
telling what you need, but apparently
you just thought you could open without
it. I mean, if
we didn't have health department
>> I mean, by the week before that before
» I mean, by the week before that before
our attorney, um that's where we really
started
treat um like one-to-one started to
contact you guys. That was after the
news. Before that it was our attorney.
So all we was under the impression that
the only um documents that we we needed
which was the last step to do was um
getting approved from the health
department
for the building inspection. We thought
since it's multiple units in that in
that building, so it we thought it was
something that was done, you know,
probably like a one year
for all the all the units. We didn't
know if it was like something that was
conducted through
like individually for each businesses.
So that's why we, you know, it was a
miscommi- uh communication. We're not
here to make any excuses. You know,
we're to own to our, you know, you know,
to our actions.
You know, but we're not here to make any
excuses, but that was the the impression
that, you know, it was a
miscommunication that, you know, we're
here to And for the um
for the noise complaints,
we didn't have anyone outside acting
erratically or just going crazy outside.
Everyone was inside. The problem was it
was the sound system
from the previous owners cuz we wasn't
too familiar with the sound system. It
was all
>> Actually the the complaints were about
» Actually the the complaints were about
pardon
>> Like
» Like
one second I and I just want to address
like
you guys came in here and said you're
going to be a restaurant and you know
these videos
from inside the place do not look like a
restaurant.
We specifically said don't do a
nightclub.
And
we were sent videos
of the promotional
It's a nightclub.
>> So so that was for the grand opening. We
» So so that was for the grand opening. We
had a lot of friends and family in town.
Just um supporting the business.
>> If I can
» If I can
>> Councilman
» Councilman
>> We we
» We we
told you about the history of the
building before and the the the uh
the business that were run there.
We said do not emulate that in any way,
shape, or form.
We gave you a probationary
entertainment license
because we wanted to play fair.
You approached us as three very good
businessmen
all having good business sense.
If that were us that came to you, would
you say we had good business sense and
did exactly what you asked us to do?
>> Of course.
» Of course.
>> Opening without a license
» Opening without a license
having a video like this when you told
us specifically
you were not
a nightclub.
That is a nightclub.
There's no cut and chase about that.
That is a nightclub.
We want a restaurant which has
food
You can have beverages obviously.
No entertainment.
That is entertainment. Whatever sort of
entertainment it is, it's entertainment.
That is what we do not want.
We have already asked you once.
Please go by the rules and we will
extend
we'll extend that probationary period.
But if we have one slip-up
you gentlemen all were in agreement with
us. It's not going to happen. That's
what we have to hold you
>> I'm aware of everything you're saying um
» I'm aware of everything you're saying um
but um
from the Department of Health that came
out for inspection that Friday.
They also mentioned to us that um if
everything goes well, we could open that
same night.
>> This is getting We're talking apples and
» This is getting We're talking apples and
oranges right now. We're talking
entertainment.
>> I know what you mean.
» I know what you mean.
>> And and so
» And and so
we're off on the as as the president
said, we're off on the wrong foot again.
And we do not want to be off on the
wrong foot again.
>> Um we definitely don't want to start on
» Um we definitely don't want to start on
a wrong foot. We're just pretty much
saying that we got the wrong
information.
>> Unfortunately, it's already done.
» Unfortunately, it's already done.
>> I know what you're saying though, but
» I know what you're saying though, but
I'm just saying we had the
misinformation. Um we wasn't clear. We
wasn't aware that, you know, we wasn't
supposed to open. We did not want to
cause any scene or be out of line or be
>> Just Just one more thing and and and
» Just Just one more thing and and and
we told you the history.
Uh on 5:24
per our conversation before, I think
it's a good idea if you guys close
earlier than you had said you were going
to, right?
5:24 between 11:00 and 12:00 a.m.
a steady flow of vehicles went through
the back neighborhood.
Uh at 5:00 uh 12:00 and then that was at
11:00 12:00 12:48, a man parked in front
of one of the houses
from the place, from the bar
yelling and screaming. Returned back
there at 1:00.
A neighbor has videos of it.
We don't want that.
At We can't be any more clear about
that.
>> Um I'm not sure who's recorded or what's
» Um I'm not sure who's recorded or what's
happening. It was just that we had a lot
of friends and family for um the soft
opening.
>> Well, if your friends and family should
» Well, if your friends and family should
have been more respectful towards your
new business and wanted to help you
>> Exactly. They didn't do wrong um at that
» Exactly. They didn't do wrong um at that
particular time. Um when our friends and
family was over there. I'm not sure what
they did wrong. Was it them being
chaotic? What was the complaint?
>> Steve, Steve.
» Steve, Steve.
Yeah, get the lieutenant up here and
read them.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
» Yeah. Yeah.
>> All right, get you guys have a seat. I'm
» All right, get you guys have a seat. I'm
going to have the lieutenant come up and
go over the police reports.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Thank you.
» Good evening.
Good evening.
>> Colonel originally asked me to come up
» Colonel originally asked me to come up
and speak in reference to this Adam.
Um,
we were there on three occasions on
5/22.
Um, we were there at approximately
11:30 for loud music.
At 11:24 we were there
at 1:23 in the morning
uh, again for loud music. Several um,
vehicles leaving the area.
Uh, officers did go in, found it to be
several people in there. There was
hookah involved. Um,
they did speak to Mr. Orlean who was
cooperative. Um, and then on
on 5/25 we were also there for loud
music.
Um,
because of this, because of the past,
and because of um,
what we talked about before, the colonel
is requesting um,
to install detail officers there on
Friday and Saturday nights.
He believes that the residents in that
area has had enough.
And we can't be there every minute.
So, the colonel is uh, recommending
detail officers Friday, Saturday nights
from 10:00 to 2:00 a.m.
Thank you.
Does anybody have any questions for the
lieutenant while he's up here?
>> Yeah, lieutenant, you so you said 5/22
» Yeah, lieutenant, you so you said 5/22
at 11:30 there was a loud music call?
>> Yep.
» Yep.
>> That was from inside the establishment
» That was from inside the establishment
or from outside the
>> inside.
» inside.
>> From the inside, the music that was
» From the inside, the music that was
playing inside.
>> Correct.
» Correct.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Uh,
» Uh,
>> believe the officers went in and the
» believe the officers went in and the
music was lowered.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> We didn't go back there again that
» We didn't go back there again that
night.
>> All right, then 5:23
» All right, then 5:23
which would have been
>> 5:24
» 5:24
>> Oh, 5:24. Okay, sorry. 5:44 at 1:23 in
» Oh, 5:24. Okay, sorry. 5:44 at 1:23 in
the morning.
>> Correct.
» Correct.
>> Loud music call.
» Loud music call.
>> Loud music again, there was several
» Loud music again, there was several
vehicles seen leaving the area. Officers
went in. It was a full-fledged
>> Inside it was still operational.
» Inside it was still operational.
>> inside there was several officers had to
» inside there was several officers had to
go in
shut them down. They spoke to Mr.
Orlean.
He was cooperative, but again, we
shouldn't have to be going in there to
shut them down.
>> And then 5:25 at what time would
» And then 5:25 at what time would
>> 5:25 we're there at
» 5:25 we're there at
um
like
10:24
in the evening.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> We were there for loud music again and
» We were there for loud music again and
they went in and told them to shut it
down.
>> Yes.
» I like this guy.
One sec, one sec.
But
Is there anybody here? We're going to
bring you guys back up.
Is there anyone here from the
neighborhood that would like to speak?
Sir, if you could just come up to the
microphone.
Just state your name, please.
>> Who's your TV?
» Who's your TV?
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh my biggest issue, I've
» Thank you. Uh my biggest issue, I've
been living in this property for 10
years. I'm active duty military and
usually have to work or report to the
naval base in Newport. I have to wake up
early in the morning. I don't mind
the you know, whatever business they're
running as long as it's respectful.
But my neighbors and
their clientele that they're usually
having over there, they're really
disrespecting the whole neighborhood.
Trash, loud music, all of that stuff is
just
you know, very disrespectful. And the
other issues I have right now is the
trash.
>> What is the trash issue?
» What is the trash issue?
>> I have pictures right now.
» I have pictures right now.
Basically collecting rats and
happy people
every other weekend over there.
And this has been
It was mentioned to the owner out for
the past few years and right now it's
getting out of hand.
>> How recent was this picture, sir?
» How recent was this picture, sir?
>> I took it just today.
» I took it just today.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> This morning just to present that.
» This morning just to present that.
And they got holes on the back of the
dumpsters.
I done everything and it's and plus the
next door neighbors uh apartment
buildings they have trash bins over
there also. For a point right now
I need your help.
>> That that's closest to your fence,
» That that's closest to your fence,
right? That's in the corner of the back
of the lot.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> But but this is a trash for the whole
» But but this is a trash for the whole
building. This isn't necessarily as a
result of the
>> It's not just you guys. Yes, it's the
» It's not just you guys. Yes, it's the
next door neighbor also. It's two I have
two trash bins over there.
>> So So I want to I want to call your
» So So I want to I want to call your
attention to May 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and
25th.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Were there So that was the weekend that
» Were there So that was the weekend that
they were open?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> What did you experience during that
» What did you experience during that
weekend?
>> myself also.
» myself also.
>> You called Okay, but what was going on?
» You called Okay, but what was going on?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> What what was happening?
» What what was happening?
>> Loud music
» Loud music
>> traffic inside the place or from cars?
» traffic inside the place or from cars?
>> Outside.
» Outside.
>> Oh.
» Oh.
>> Outside on the uh the parking lot.
» Outside on the uh the parking lot.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Outside on the parking lot, loud music,
» Outside on the parking lot, loud music,
and people were disrespecting the uh the
whole neighbors, my next door neighbor
Jen.
They were driving by playing music and
trash I have to jump over the the fence
between the the street lows to pick up
trash every other weekend.
So I contacted the city. They said they
didn't know what to do. So
this is my first time here. I you know,
we need something to be done about it.
>> Were there people like loitering in the
» Were there people like loitering in the
parking lot as well? Or were there
people hanging around hanging out in the
parking lot?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> And what about what time was that?
» And what about what time was that?
>> It was uh a little after 1:00.
» It was uh a little after 1:00.
>> After 1:00.
Okay. Uh
any other issues during that weekend?
>> No. That was all.
» No. That was all.
>> Now the loud music and the people in the
» Now the loud music and the people in the
parking lot, did that occur on each
night or was it just one night?
>> Just one night.
» Just one night.
>> Just that night. Do you remember what Do
» Just that night. Do you remember what Do
you remember what night that was?
>> Uh it was about 2 weeks ago.
» Uh it was about 2 weeks ago.
>> Okay. But do you remember Friday,
» Okay. But do you remember Friday,
Saturday?
>> I'm not sure.
» I'm not sure.
>> That's okay. All right.
» That's okay. All right.
>> If I'm not mistaken, you you also got
» If I'm not mistaken, you you also got
contacted by other neighbors.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> That couldn't be here this evening. They
» That couldn't be here this evening. They
couldn't be here also.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> And can I just ask you they
» And can I just ask you they
Basically, it's the same sentiment,
right?
>> Same sentiment. Yes.
» Same sentiment. Yes.
>> What's your name, this gentleman?
» What's your name, this gentleman?
>> Yeah, you can come back up now.
» Yeah, you can come back up now.
>> Yes. He said 2 weeks ago. It wasn't open
» Yes. He said 2 weeks ago. It wasn't open
2 weeks ago.
>> I think he meant last weekend.
» I think he meant last weekend.
>> I think he meant last week. I think he
» I think he meant last week. I think he
I'm assuming he meant last week.
>> weekend. Not this past weekend. The
» weekend. Not this past weekend. The
other weekend.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> And And it wasn't open the other weekend
» And And it wasn't open the other weekend
as well.
>> What days were you guys open?
» What days were you guys open?
>> Both.
» Both.
>> So So you don't have
» So So you don't have
>> Well, it's only between the
» Well, it's only between the
>> This information is not correct or
» This information is not correct or
accurate.
>> Wait a minute. He wasn't open 2 weeks
» Wait a minute. He wasn't open 2 weeks
ago.
>> What were you guys open?
» What were you guys open?
>> What do you mean?
» What do you mean?
>> We were open one day. Was that Saturday?
» We were open one day. Was that Saturday?
>> Yeah, that was that Saturday.
» Yeah, that was that Saturday.
>> He said 2 weeks ago. Almost 2 weeks ago
» He said 2 weeks ago. Almost 2 weeks ago
now.
>> Not last week. The week before.
» Not last week. The week before.
>> All right. Hold on. I'm sorry.
» All right. Hold on. I'm sorry.
You were only open 1 day?
>> 1 day. Yes.
» 1 day. Yes.
>> So but the police went on three separate
» So but the police went on three separate
occasions, came into your place, and saw
>> music
» music
>> operational on three occasions. So you
» operational on three occasions. So you
weren't open 1 day. You were open more
than 1 day.
>> It was the the the second time it was
» It was the the the second time it was
cuz we had two soft openings. It was a
small
>> They were open. The doors were open.
» They were open. The doors were open.
>> But um what I'm what I'm trying to say
» It's 3 days. 3 days. It's 3 days.
>> So
» So
>> What I'm saying is that the day we had
» What I'm saying is that the day we had
the big crowd of people was 1 day.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
Well, I'm assuming that's the that's the
night that the 1:30 complaint came in.
Right?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> So that that's
» So that that's
I don't think that's helping the case.
>> If you've been open for 3 days, we've
» If you've been open for 3 days, we've
had three incidents already. You You
really don't have a license to do that.
To to be be open period yet.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> You you guys haven't even had the
» You you guys haven't even had the
opportunity to open and this is what
we're confronted with.
>> We was misinformed with that. What I'm
» We was misinformed with that. What I'm
trying to say we thought we had the
green light to open up.
>> I got to be honest, that's kind of
» I got to be honest, that's kind of
splitting hairs cuz what whether whether
would whether you made the mistake or
that you think they said okay or
whatever, regardless, if there was no
there was no incidents, the police
weren't called, the neighbors weren't
called, I got to be honest with you, no
one on this council would have probably
even known
if your li- you know, the license went
through, you didn't have one. Now, when
the police got called cuz the neighbors
called and people came in, now it's
like, "Well, wait, you shouldn't be open
yet." And here you are opening and we
already have some issues.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> And I wasn't like we weren't frank about
» And I wasn't like we weren't frank about
it.
>> Have Have the licenses been paid for
» Have Have the licenses been paid for
already?
>> Oh, yes.
» Oh, yes.
>> They've been paid for at the clerk's
» They've been paid for at the clerk's
office?
» No.
>> I'm sorry, sir. Can
» I'm sorry, sir. Can
Please.
» We haven't made payment with the town
clerk yet for the licenses.
>> They They're not paid.
» They They're not paid.
>> No, they're not paid yet.
» No, they're not paid yet.
>> Then you don't have a license if it's
» Then you don't have a license if it's
not paid.
» So, um
you know, we're here to
you know, to say that cuz
it's our first business, right? Um and
plus, you know, the town
we're new in the town. So,
that we wasn't familiar with the
situation that, you know, we needed the
the license and and cuz when we checked
the portal, it was the license say
active.
» Sir, when you When you approached us,
you were three businessmen.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> So,
» So,
you know how business is run.
There are certain rules and regulations
to run businesses
for any business.
You have to have a license, number one.
It has to be paid for, number two.
When you come in front of a a governing
body and say
we are definitely not doing this because
we know you people have been slapped in
the face and we don't want to do that.
We want your residents to be
comfortable.
And we say, "Hey, that's a great idea,
guys. We appreciate you wanting to lend
it on that."
You're open 3 days and we already get
hit three times.
To me,
I can't be comfortable with it.
And I apologize, but I can't be
comfortable with it on behalf of the
residents of the town that have lived
here for years and I don't think I don't
I don't I may be wrong that you folks
live in town.
I don't think our town residents should
be subjected to that.
Plain and simple.
» Any other questions?
>> Yeah, I I have a couple.
» Yeah, I I have a couple.
Um
All right. So, you open I think you said
someone someone said from the it was set
Saturday.
>> It was Saturday, Sunday um Sunday and
» It was Saturday, Sunday um Sunday and
Monday.
>> Saturday so
» Saturday so
>> So, Monday that's um so, Saturday that's
» So, Monday that's um so, Saturday that's
when I spoke to one of the North
Providence
um officers.
>> All right.
» All right.
So,
let's put put the the the lack of
license aside for a second.
Um
what I'm curious about is so, the first
night you're open, the police go in and
there's loud music.
>> They did not go in. I spoke with the
» They did not go in. I spoke with the
officer outside. I was in the Everybody
was
>> Listen, what I want to do I want to have
» Listen, what I want to do I want to have
an honest conversation. When I say the
police go in,
the police show up.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> They They tell you they got a complaint
» They They tell you they got a complaint
about loud music.
>> Um
» Um
>> They don't tell you that.
» They don't tell you that.
>> No, he didn't say um
» No, he didn't say um
I was under the impression that they was
passing by they see, you know, a large,
you know, group of cars around and they
just stopped by, but he never mentioned
that. Um he has a they received a a
noise complaint. I was never told that
by the officer.
>> Do we know do we know so we know they
» Do we know do we know so we know they
responded for loud music but we don't
know.
>> Didn't come to the the point of a a
» Didn't come to the the point of a a
report using our dispatch log. They did
respond there because we got calls for
service there.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> And it wasn't just by they were passing
» And it wasn't just by they were passing
by.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> We got called there.
» We got called there.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> All right. Um
» All right. Um
and
then
you're open until
1:00
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> which you're allowed to be.
» which you're allowed to be.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Everybody's supposed to be out within 20
» Everybody's supposed to be out within 20
minutes.
>> Yeah, they was out within 20 minutes.
» Yeah, they was out within 20 minutes.
>> That's not what the police are telling
» That's not what the police are telling
us. It's 1:23
and the place was still in operation.
>> No, it was not operating.
» No, it was not operating.
Well, we was well over we was well over
that.
>> How many people were in there at that
» How many people were in there at that
time?
>> Um I say approximately
» Um I say approximately
um
about 70.
>> 70?
» 70?
>> 80.
» 80.
>> And and it wasn't in operation. Guys
» And and it wasn't in operation. Guys
were just chit-chatting.
>> No, I'm not saying doing doing past
» No, I'm not saying doing doing past
business hours. I'm saying in general.
>> Oh.
» Oh.
>> Yeah, he he meant at the 1:20 mark the
» Yeah, he he meant at the 1:20 mark the
closing.
>> Oh, no cuz it was us in there just you
» Oh, no cuz it was us in there just you
know wrapping up and cleaning up and
stuff like that cuz I we also had our
families in there too just helping
helping out to clean up cuz it was our
first night and it was just you know a
lot going on.
>> Is the lights still off at 12:55 we
» Is the lights still off at 12:55 we
turned the lights off.
Like the the open sign lights. We open
it and we close it at 12:55 and
everybody's out here in the front.
>> Is there is there body cam?
» Is there is there body cam?
Of these?
All right. If if if we could get the
body cam on these when the police show
up I'd like to see them.
>> Yeah, once you see the body cam
» Yeah, once you see the body cam
you'll see me um
talking with the officer.
And um he said cuz he's get he
gathered all information and he said um
uh we can't have this cuz you know from
previous and you we have to make sure
like So pretty much what he was talking
about is just you know make sure outside
is cleared and there's not people you
know making noises and people just you
know coming out and leaving. That's all
he mentioned. He never came to me and
said we got noise complaint and stuff
like that. There was any of that
mentioned. If you check any body cam
that you see That was on Monday.
Um approximately about I believe it was
9 to 10. I'm not Yeah, 9 to 10. That's
when the officer
um
uh came by. He said our music was too
loud.
That's when he I think he it was at the
door.
Cuz I wasn't there at the time. My
colleagues um they texted me. They said
the police just stopped by. He said our
music was too loud. That was just on
Monday.
I believe he actually mentioned a couple
times that the
police came by and he mentioned noise
complaints. But there was there was only
one time that they stopped by.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
Sh- So uh So pretty much you guys have a
security company?
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Wha- How do you handle security?
» Wha- How do you handle security?
>> Um so pretty much um it was just friends
» Um so pretty much um it was just friends
and family out there. Everyone that was
there we knew. There was no need for
security. It was a soft opening.
Everyone that was there
>> Which you said there was one night you
» Which you said there was one night you
were open.
>> Yes. Pretty much that one night. Um it
» Yes. Pretty much that one night. Um it
was just friends and family that was
there. So there was there was not
necessary to have security.
But going forward yes we will have
security there. And we was only um
notified that it was a noise complaint
that uh one night. All other nights
there was nothing that was mentioned to
us that we was being loud and
or being you know
>> But at the end of the night do you have
» But at the end of the night do you have
anybody go to the parking lot and see
what's going on?
>> Yes. It was all three of us um pretty
» Yes. It was all three of us um pretty
much in the parking lot.
>> outside myself. I
» outside myself. I
I saw I spoke with officer um
>> In the back?
» In the back?
>> No, it wasn't in the back. It was It was
» No, it wasn't in the back. It was It was
on the side street.
>> So many of your patrons park in the
» So many of your patrons park in the
back, right?
>> Yeah, cuz there's the back parking lot.
» Yeah, cuz there's the back parking lot.
We have a back parking lot. Yeah.
>> So, I was out there myself just making
» So, I was out there myself just making
sure everybody getting into the car, you
know, in the process. You know, just So,
everybody just, you know, at the time
it's late, nothing going on, so
>> And the parking lot was completely
» And the parking lot was completely
>> calm like to I mean, the problem is, I
» calm like to I mean, the problem is, I
know what you're saying, but we're
getting information from the police and
information from a neighbor saying that
may not have been as calm as you're
making it out to be.
>> It was definitely like you said, if you
» It was definitely like you said, if you
could provide security cameras footage,
you'll see that it was calm. There was
not I promise you it was not chaotic. Um
it was a it was quite a few people in
the back parking lot, but it was cleared
out by 1:25.
>> The point is that there were there The
» The point is that there were there The
point is that you still don't have a
license and you opened up that way. So,
if I don't know how you want to do it.
You want to do it off
>> Off the licenses, we got the wrong
» Off the licenses, we got the wrong
information. We was notified by the
Board of Health that if we pass
inspection that night, we could open the
same night. That's what he said.
>> haven't paid for it yet, so how could
» haven't paid for it yet, so how could
you have a license?
>> Um we um through our legal fees, we had
» Um we um through our legal fees, we had
paid our lawyer to pretty much handle
everything.
>> then? Who is making our payments?
» then? Who is making our payments?
>> So, we didn't know cuz all the payments
» So, we didn't know cuz all the payments
that he requested, we made with them.
So, he don't have been processing. I've
been in contact with the town clerk.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> So, that's where we we came in like we
» So, that's where we we came in like we
thought like, you know, everything was
situated.
>> And we have no
» And we have no
>> So, it's not like we just, you know,
» So, it's not like we just, you know,
trying to
you know, trying to miss anything or
just trying to operate under our own,
you know,
our own rules, but every fees that our
lawyer requested, you know, that was
requested from the town, you know, we
sent that in through him. He'd been the
one that
>> Lawyers have been been the
» Lawyers have been been the
>> been the one that been paying.
» been the one that been paying.
>> your liaison to our clerk's office.
» your liaison to our clerk's office.
>> so everything that's been
» so everything that's been
>> spoke to them or did you speak to the
» spoke to them or did you speak to the
lawyers?
>> We actually managed to spoke to the
» We actually managed to spoke to the
lawyer.
Yeah.
And that was the only
>> And the owners.
» Yes, money.
>> That's the only one.
» That's the only one.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> That's who she spoke to, her, him, and
» That's who she spoke to, her, him, and
the lawyer.
>> So when I've been when I started
» So when I've been when I started
contacting the town clerk myself is when
after the um um um the warning from the
town clerk to through our lawyer. So
they contacted our lawyer
um telling us that we not, you know, we
don't have the green light to op- to be
operating yet. So that's when I started
contacting the um the town clerk myself
to make sure that we have everything. So
what right after that we have we
received the news. We did not operate.
Our doors was shut, you know,
right away. We took immediate action. We
shut our doors. We was not operating
then. That's when I started com- um
contacting the town clerk myself to make
sure, you know, we have everything that,
you know, that needed, you know, for us
to be operating again.
>> Yes. Um from from our council, um the
» Yes. Um from from our council, um the
impression we got was all we needed was
program insurance, which we had.
Fire marshal, board of health gave us
the green light. So from that impression
we thought we had the green light to
open up. So we would never
you know
>> You didn't pay.
» You didn't pay.
>> Um um we paid through our lawyer. Yeah,
» Um um we paid through our lawyer. Yeah,
so the lawyer had all the fees and
everything. So all the payments were
just forwarded to our lawyer. So from
that from our payment
>> Your lawyer advised you that you could
» Your lawyer advised you that you could
open then?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> So um we actually got access to the
» So um we actually got access to the
portal like uh last week. So before that
we were not able to just log into the
portal and like check things, right?
>> Yes. Our lawyer had the um
» Yes. Our lawyer had the um
>> Yeah, so before that like everything was
» Yeah, so before that like everything was
pretty much going through like our
lawyer. Um so that So we're not trying
to make an excuse for it. Like we
understand uh
but at the same time like we're just we
understand the we the the mistake that
was made, but like we wouldn't make a
intentional mistake like that cuz we
came here like present our like
ourselves. Like we would at least like
if we wanted to to something like that,
we'll probably wait until we have like a
permanent license before that cuz I know
like we are all like already like under
uh probation. So, that's not something
we would intentionally do. Like we just
um got that business. So, we wouldn't
want to what I risk like all that uh
effort. I would let's not even talk
about double the money, but like it was
just a like a lengthy process really. Uh
so,
it's very unfortunate, but we we we do
take take
take I like accountability for it, but
um
it's just like we we didn't really know
exactly if we were not supposed to be
open.
>> We
» We
>> I I think All right.
» I I think All right.
I see.
Guys, we we told you exactly what
happened before.
And it's exactly what's happening
currently under your ownership.
It's exactly what happened. People going
in the back neighborhoods,
parking,
throwing debris, yelling. Those were the
exact That's the exact conversation we
had last month. Do you remember that?
>> Yes, I remember that, but also we we was
» Yes, I remember that, but also we we was
only aware like hold on.
Um also that we didn't we wasn't aware
of anything. We was out there ourself.
The first night we had a lot of people
there like about 70 people that night.
We was outside clearing the parking lot.
So,
any complaints that somebody's was
saying that we was out there ourself
making sure everybody was getting in the
car and when the police officers they
have
can record because see
us three in the back clearing the
parking lot. And I guarantee you no one
was out there being loud. And if you
have video if the officers have videos,
you'll see proof that the parking lot
was cleared within 10 to 15 minutes. The
latest somebody was out there in the
back parking lot was 1:25. That's the
latest. And if you have the footage of
that night, you'll see it. There was no
one out there being chaotic or causing
problems. In that one
instance we had somebody that came into
the spot was that one night which was
Monday night.
The police officer came in and said we
was being too loud. That was around 9:00
to 10:00 p.m. And we actually turned off
the music.
And the following day after that, that's
when we was notified that we shouldn't
be open. But other than that, we was
only aware we was being loud one night.
That's the only night we got a
complaint.
>> Okay, I think we can let's let's start
» Okay, I think we can let's let's start
to wrap this up.
I I think
you guys open without a license. That's
the problem.
That's a problem.
There's nothing we can do about that
right now.
I think the issue we have to figure out
here up here is
the way you operated and the way it was
promoted.
That's my concern.
There's still the same issues with the
neighbors
and it was promoted as a nightclub
online.
So, I think it's up to this body
to figure out whether we let you open at
all
because you still technically don't have
a license
or we're going to have to let you open
with a police detail. And
>> Also, um can we request another um town
» Also, um can we request another um town
meeting before we make a decision so we
can have our lawyer involved?
Um cuz um we feel like we're being
blindsided. It was pretty much what what
we got from
our lawyer was pretty much um
>> But you didn't get blindsided by us.
» But you didn't get blindsided by us.
>> Um I'm saying um um pretty much what
» Um I'm saying um um pretty much what
Yeah, but we still I feel blindsided by
anybody um
cuz we wasn't aware we did anything
wrong. And there was no warning
that was presented to us and we didn't
have access to the portal
till like a week after. So,
we want to have presentation and we have
our lawyer involved.
>> We we need to
» We we need to
>> Yes, so
» Yes, so
>> I think we're splitting hairs again. So,
» I think we're splitting hairs again. So,
I'm just splitting hairs again. Again,
>> Right.
» Right.
All I'm saying is that can we get um we
just want our lawyer to be present. Um
so, can we request another meeting?
That's all I'm asking for.
>> if if
» if if
you guys don't plan on opening before
June 18th,
that we have a meeting June 18th. I can
put you on the agenda that night.
>> Just put us on the agenda for that.
» Just put us on the agenda for that.
>> Is that's that all right with you guys?
» Is that's that all right with you guys?
>> And
» And
and also, um,
I like to, um, I know it's a
>> Yeah, that's fine. Is that all right?
» Yeah, that's fine. Is that all right?
>> Yep.
» Yep.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
I don't know how you guys will go about
it, but I would
I would like to ask, you know, a last,
you know, a chance
to prove ourselves to make sure that,
you know,
to do things the right way, to really
see if that's how we really operate in
business, cuz I know it was literally a
beginning,
you know, some mistakes were made, then
we take accountable actions for it. But
if we could have like a last, you know,
chance, then if if things keep going how
it's going for real, then, you know,
then I know we would know that I now
it's it's really us. Then there would
there's nothing we could do about it.
All we asking is, you know, as a last
chance to really prove ourselves to see
that if we was really doing it on
purpose, or if we was been
So all I'm asking if we could have a
last chance.
>> Well, you guys got to you have until the
» Well, you guys got to you have until the
18th to
um,
try and get everything together. And if
you're going to have your lawyer
come in.
>> It needs to be here.
» It needs to be here.
>> Is that
» Is that
>> Yeah, before, um, so to have our things
» Yeah, before, um, so to have our things
together, what do you mean by that
exactly?
>> Yeah, what do we mean? It's a good
» Yeah, what do we mean? It's a good
question.
>> Cuz everything is already accounted
» Cuz everything is already accounted
before. So we just waiting to make
payments.
>> All the licenses paid for.
» All the licenses paid for.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> inspection from he had two
» inspection from he had two
he had two exit signs, I believe.
>> Yes, that's already
» Yes, that's already
>> pulled out. So then I guess you went to
» pulled out. So then I guess you went to
get them. Now he's got to release Did he
come and look at it again?
>> Yes, he did.
» Yes, he did.
>> All right, he has to release it from the
» All right, he has to release it from the
portal before I and then you are allowed
to pay for it. Until all the inspections
are approved, you can't pay for it.
You're not allowed. So, that's why you
have to do that first and then pay for
your
>> Yes, um well, I'm well aware of that
» Yes, um well, I'm well aware of that
now. That's why I've been, you know, in
contact with you every day just to make
sure that we getting everything we
supposed to be getting done. You know,
every day I've been getting in contact
with you. I know I've been annoying you
for the week, but I've been getting in
contact with you every day to make sure,
"Ah, did you receive that? Did you
receive that?" You know, we just trying
to do things the right way and I'm just
asking, you know, for a last chance. You
know, if we could get the last chance,
you know, we could go about it. You
know, I know June June by June 18th, you
know, if we, you know, if we been
getting complaints, if anything not
situated, then we understand everything.
Now, you guys is you guys to do what you
got to do.
>> Just tell you most neighbors and most
» Just tell you most neighbors and most
constituents call us, they email us.
Very rarely do they come to the
meetings. So, for that gentleman to take
time out of his
out of his life to come here, you know,
then it would there was something that
was done that was serious enough to
bring him bring him here. So, that
that's what I concern is. Not that we're
not concerned about your business, but
we're concerned more about the the
constituents and the neighbors that live
there and pay their taxes to be a little
bit, you know, quiet. And now it's not
even the summer yet. Some of these even
have the windows open. Well, right now
they're closed. Think about it.
Someone's a little older at 1:30, they
don't want to hear a lot of ruckus, you
know, next to their house.
>> Yeah, makes sense. Um also, we did um at
» Yeah, makes sense. Um also, we did um at
the time we were closed, we did um pay a
a sound engineer to come by to check out
the sound system. Cuz the way they the
previous owner had it, it was it was
overboard cuz we even tested out
ourselves. After we got the complaint,
we actually went outside to check to see
how the sound was affecting outside. So,
we did hire a sound engineer to come,
you know, take a look at the mixer to
set the sound properly to make sure
sound is not getting outside outside of
the venue.
>> But but
» But but
let's not forget. I know and I
appreciate you doing that, but you're
supposed to be a restaurant first.
Not a not a nightclub.
>> We're not a nightclub.
» We're not a nightclub.
>> No, but think about the measures you're
» No, but think about the measures you're
doing to test sound quality.
>> But look, um I know it it seems like,
» But look, um I know it it seems like,
you know, the way we
you know, it was set up that the first
night cuz um you we had a lot of of
people come out, you know, we we did
invite a lot of people to come out and,
you know, see the spot to you know, to
to support. So, that's why it seems like
all right, you know, it's a nightclub.
All I'm asking, you know, is another
chance to prove ourself and then you
guys could see for yourself.
>> What do you guys want? Counseling?
» What do you guys want? Counseling?
>> And just just one more thing just to be
» And just just one more thing just to be
certain because I don't want to have any
more miscommunication
because we we want to
play fair in the sand.
You're not to open before the 18th.
You're going to come with with your your
attorney
and talk about this. And so you know,
about sound and I appreciate that. Um
the concern of a restaurant is never
sound and a subwoofer which
produces a very low frequency that
travels
very fast, okay?
That wouldn't even be an issue if it
were from here to the back of that wall
if it was a restaurant.
>> Um
» Um
>> That
» That
>> I don't I'm just telling you I know a
» I don't I'm just telling you I know a
little bit about sound. Yeah, no, I'm
not saying you don't, but I don't you
know, I don't um
remember us representing the the
business as a restaurant.
We did say it was a a lounge and bar
with food.
>> You guys
» You guys
>> never
» never
>> You got bottle service, you got you got
» You got bottle service, you got you got
multiple DJs on nights, you got bottle
service, you got everything.
>> You guys come on.
» You guys come on.
>> No, cuz the the way the
» No, cuz the the way the
>> No.
» No.
>> So, the way the way the um the lounge
» So, the way the way the um the lounge
set up, you know, there's um you know,
next time we we do come in, we'll come
in with pictures and then you guys will
have a clear idea of the way the the
business is set up.
>> So, if if I So, so
» So, if if I So, so
>> What I What I would do on the way in,
» What I What I would do on the way in,
and
I'm not giving you advice, but this is
if I was coming back in on the 18th,
I would pretend that everything you
heard tonight from the police,
and I'm not By the way, I'm not
disputing what I anybody said, but I but
I'm just telling you how I would
operate. I would operate that every
single thing that the neighbor said and
the police said is absolutely true.
And on June 18th, I would be prepared to
address all of those issues and exactly
how they're not going to happen again.
And and in my opinion, that's that's the
only way that I would feel comfortable
to to allow this to to keep going is
All right, you know, for better or
worse, let's take this as the the first
test drive, right? And we we figured out
there's a few problems. So, I would be
prepared
again, take everything is true, even if
you disagree with it. Take everything is
true because it's at the very least a
perception of the police and the
neighbors.
And I would address each thing and
exactly how you how you're going to
handle it and how you're going to do it.
And I don't mind I When when they're
done, I'll step off. I'll talk to them
for for a minute, too.
>> Okay. I appreciate it, um, counselor.
» Okay. I appreciate it, um, counselor.
But, um,
Counselor Stephen, you mentioned that,
um, we won't be be able to open until
June 18th.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> Um,
you know, I'm I'm just asking if cuz if
we have, you know, all our credentials,
the only thing we have to make is
payment. I know, um,
the, um,
I know, um, the fire department um now
on the building inspection have to be
submitted, you know, which is already,
you know, accounted for. All you have to
do is put it in.
So, if we cuz, you know, we
you know, not to make any excuses,
this whole thing we started, we pay out
of pocket for it. We didn't take any
loans or anything. So, if we could close
to June 18th, you know, that's
you know, everything we got to come out
of pocket for.
>> All right. And and I You know, so it's
» All right. And and I You know, so it's
like And and I
>> Guys, believe me from the bottom of my
» Guys, believe me from the bottom of my
heart.
We're very very very business-friendly
town.
But we can hold you. And and the reason
we're saying the 18th
is to make sure that everything we're
talking about today
is done.
We can say, all right, you got the
license and the inspections is done. But
we want to see your attorney
and here with us and we're going to talk
about this so that this, as Mario said,
does not happen.
We're going to be 100% sure of that.
That's our job.
That's what we owe to the people of our
town.
>> So, the thing is with the 18th is that I
» So, the thing is with the 18th is that I
just said the 18th because you guys were
asking for
another meeting to come in with your
attorney.
So, that's only giving you that
opportunity. If you would open before
then,
then you'd have to open with a police
detail.
>> So, um
» So, um
as um Lieutenant mentioned, so it he
said we have to um Lieutenant, you said
we have to have a a detail from what
10:00 to So, he said 2:00.
So, if we have a police detail, is it
possible to go up until 2:00?
>> No.
» No.
>> Lieutenant, he said 2:00, 10:00 to 2:00.
» Lieutenant, he said 2:00, 10:00 to 2:00.
>> They still get paid for 4 hours. They
» They still get paid for 4 hours. They
would be there from 10:00 to 2:00 to
make sure everybody's cleared out
and the place is closed.
» So, is it is it possible that we could
operate without a police police detail?
And if
June 18th, you know, we come back with
complaints, then, you know, it's
whatever you guys decided. Is it
possible?
>> Unfortunately, that's the recommendation
» Unfortunately, that's the recommendation
of our police chief. They're the ones
that have to enforce this. We don't.
>> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. So, that's
» Yeah, that's what I'm saying. So, that's
now it's like, you know, we willing to
prove ourself to see if
any report that would they receive
any sort of report that they receive,
you know, now it's like when we come
back to the next
>> What's going to be worse? The police
» What's going to be worse? The police
detail for 2 days or not opening until
the 18th?
>> Um
» Um
From a from a financial standpoint.
>> So, pretty much um we don't want to be
» So, pretty much um we don't want to be
slapped with the police detail and we
want to have our lawyer here involved to
prove to you that the the the
establishment we're trying to run does
not require police detail.
So, um with the
>> How's the attorney going to prove that?
» How's the attorney going to prove that?
>> Cuz um we have um pretty much um
» Cuz um we have um pretty much um
everything the complaints that happened
that we was not aware of any of these
complaints except for one complaint that
actually the officer came into the um
establishment
and explained to us. So, we just went on
cuz we
>> What was it that
» What was it that
>> we didn't
» we didn't
Um I feel like I'm you know, we being um
cuz when when my attorney spoke to us,
pretty much what he was saying that we
was here to, you know, pretty much um
get a speech and advice from from the
police department. We was not aware it
was going to be an um a discussion to
pretty much um have police detail
involved. So, we just want a chance to
get advice and counsel from our lawyer
going forward cuz that's not the
establishment we're trying to run. We
want to run an establishment where we
that does not require police detail. So,
we just pretty much want to request
another hearing so we we could prove to
to you guys that that's not the
establishment we're running. It's just
that the grand it was um
when we when we got informed from our
lawyer, pretty much we had the green
light and everything we needed to open
up and that's why we had a grand
opening. Um and we had um that level of
amount of people that was there that
night.
Um that's not what's going to happen.
So, we just pretty much want to prove to
you guys what we trying to run. What we
trying to run does not require police
detail.
So we want to prove that to you guys.
» Listen,
I I first of all I'll I'll
go with whatever the pleasure of the
council is.
I got to be honest with you. I think
we're doing you a favor by telling you
to stay closed cuz I think if we allow
you if you if you get your all your
stuff together tomorrow
I have not heard a plan that is going to
keep you from getting complaints.
I I've seen enough of these places. I
worked in Providence for 10 years.
That's all I did for 10 years.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> I've seen lounges, I've seen nightclubs,
» I've seen lounges, I've seen nightclubs,
I've seen restaurants. I
I would bet a lot of money that if you
don't sit back, talk to your lawyer,
make a plan, have a security plan in
place, have all this stuff ready to go.
If you're If you open this weekend
without a detail you're going to have
you're going to get more complaints and
then at that point if you come back in
on the 18th, my position is going to be
you don't get the license at all.
>> No no, we're not going to be opening up
» No no, we're not going to be opening up
before the 18th. We want to make sure we
have every ducks in a row.
>> All right.
» All right.
>> Everything in line.
» Everything in line.
>> How come is that? I'm going to open you
» How come is that? I'm going to open you
don't need the police detail.
>> Yeah Yeah, we just want to prove to you
» Yeah Yeah, we just want to prove to you
guys we don't need a police detail.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> So that's our plan and we also we have
» So that's our plan and we also we have
sound monitors outside level recording
the sound where we won't be going above
driving traffic. So we will have proof
and evidence of all that cuz we don't
require a police detail. And we going to
install two sound monitors outside that
would be recording. So if we have noise
complaints and we actually we have facts
and proof that we are not going above
sound level.
>> May- maybe the landlord will help you
» May- maybe the landlord will help you
out with that.
>> Right. So
» Right. So
>> they have them as well, right people?
» they have them as well, right people?
>> Yeah, so we Yeah, so we going to have
» Yeah, so we Yeah, so we going to have
these monitors ourselves. Cuz we don't
want to you know cause chaos or
anything. We just want to operate a
business being consistent and have
consistent income. And with having a
police detail, we will not be able to
survive and pay our bills. So, we want
to go we want to run the business the
right way and have
everything flowing smoothly. And so
>> with I agree with Councilman Tone and
» with I agree with Councilman Tone and
and you I would wait till the 18th and
get everything all set and talk to the
landlord. Maybe he'll give you
a break on the rent cuz you're not going
to be open for the till the 18th.
>> Right. All right, let's wrap this up.
» Right. All right, let's wrap this up.
Any other questions?
Mayor?
» I can
>> You guys can take a seat.
» You guys can take a seat.
>> I know there was
» I know there was
I know there was
>> Guys
» Guys
>> Hey guys.
» I know there was an issue with
inspections
and also the fire.
So, I would just want to make sure that
they're clear with the fire department,
with building inspections, and then we
have to make sure the occupancy
is adhered to.
>> Okay, do I have a motion to continue
» Okay, do I have a motion to continue
this matter to the June 18th town
council meeting?
>> I think it's 5:00 the meeting, not at
» I think it's 5:00 the meeting, not at
7:00.
>> Okay, a motion's been made by Councilman
» Okay, a motion's been made by Councilman
Bacalao. Is there a second? Seconded by
Councilman Laporte. All those in favor?
>> I.
» I.
>> All those opposed? The eyes have it.
» All those opposed? The eyes have it.
>> Good, guys.
» Good, guys.
>> Okay, thank you. Item number 22,
» Okay, thank you. Item number 22,
resignation letter. I've received a
letter of resignation to be accepted
with regret from Joseph Gemaco of the
Historic District Commission.
Greetings. I've served on the Historic
Commission for a few years. I believe it
is time for me to step down
as a member of that board. Therefore,
please accept my resignation effective
immediately. I thank you and the town of
North Providence for providing me the
chance to serve. Sincerely, Joseph
Gemaco. Do I have a motion to accept
that letter?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion's been made by Councilman
» Motion's been made by Councilman
Laporte. Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Seconded by Councilman Bacalao. All
» Seconded by Councilman Bacalao. All
those in favor?
>> I.
» I.
>> All those opposed? The eyes have it.
» All those opposed? The eyes have it.
Item number 23, board appointment. Town
Council discussion and action regarding
to the appointment to be made the
following board new appointment
historic district commission Lind Alfano
Dear members of the town council as a
lifelong resident of North Providence I
respectfully submit this letter of
interest for appointment to the historic
district commission after learning of
the current opening.
I have strong interest in preserving the
historical character and heritage of our
town and I believe the historic district
commission plays an important role in
protecting the identity and history of
our community for future generations. It
would be an honor to serve the residents
of North Providence in this capacity and
I would appreciate your consideration
for appointment. Thank you for your time
and consideration Lind Alfano Rhode
Island.
>> Make that a motion one point.
» Make that a motion one point.
>> A motion has been made by Councilman
» A motion has been made by Councilman
seconded by Councilman Lepore
all those in favor
>> I
» I
>> all those opposed the eyes have it.
» all those opposed the eyes have it.
Item number 24 claim submitted town
council discussion and possible votes
regard the claims received from the
following Lucas Romalo 1934 Smith Street
North Providence Rhode Island
Edmund Lorenzo 28 Woodhaven Boulevard
North Providence Rhode Island and
Yevgeny Polishchuk 51 Beverly Ann Drive
North Providence Rhode Island. Do you
have a motion to send these to the
claims committee?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion has been made by Councilman
» Motion has been made by Councilman
Baccala is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Seconded by Councilman Lepore all those
» Seconded by Councilman Lepore all those
in favor?
>> I
» I
>> all those opposed the eyes have it. Item
» all those opposed the eyes have it. Item
number 25 claims committee report town
council discussion and action regard to
the claims committee report to be
presented by Councilman Baccala.
>> Unfortunately this evening due to some
» Unfortunately this evening due to some
car troubles
I had to reschedule the claims committee
meeting we could not meet and I'll get
together with my fellow councilman to
see when I can get this done. Hopefully
I can do it maybe at one of our special
meetings or
before but I have nothing to nothing to
submit so
>> Thank you. Item number 26 finance
» Thank you. Item number 26 finance
committee report town council discussion
action regard to the finance committee
report to be presented by Councilman
Martone. I know he we discussed the
budget so I make a motion to accept his
report. Motion has been made by
Councilman Bacallao.
Is there a second?
>> Second. Seconded by Councilman Di
» Second. Seconded by Councilman Di
Lorenzo. All those in favor?
All those opposed? The ayes have it. And
item number 27, ordinance committee
report, town council discussion and
action regarding to the ordinance
committee to be presented by Council
President Odello. I will have that typed
up and
make a motion to accept as presented.
Motion has been made by Councilman
Bacallao. Is there a second?
Seconded by Councilman Fiola. All those
in favor?
All those opposed? The ayes have it.